Situated approximately 27 km from Srinagar, the temple attracted Kashmiri Pandits, including women and children, who came together to offer special prayers on the auspicious occasion of the annual 'Zyeshth Ashtami.' The devotees prayed for peace, prosperity, and brotherhood.

 

“ I have been coming here regularly and this year the footfall is impressive,” said a devotee at the shrine. “The famous spring at the Tullamulla shrine is known for its ‘changing colours’ that ‘foretell’ the coming months of the state. So I prayed for peace and brotherhood in J&K and the country.”

 

At the temple premises, emotional scenes were visible as some Muslim youngsters were seen helping the visitors. Some Muslims also lined up outside the temple.

 

Pilgrims said that peace was prevailing in Kashmir and it has helped that more devotees visit the shrine today. " This year the colour of the water in the spring was clean which means there will be prosperity in the country including J&K," said another devotee. Besides non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits, the migrants from outside the Valley thronged the shrine in large numbers during the fair.

 

The over 100-year-old spring temple, built by Hindu monarch Pratap Singh, has over the years been a magnet for the Pandit community. Despite the migration of Pandits, there has been no let-up in the rush of devotees at Mela Kheer Bhawani.

 

Meanwhile, the former Chief Minister of erstwhile state Jammu Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday paid obeisance at the temple.

 

"It is our collective duty to safeguard the special bond that Kashmiris enjoy with each other irrespective of our religions. We used to live side by side as one person and we should never forget our past. The traditional harmony between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims can only be maintained by respecting each other and our shared past," Mufti said to those present at the mela.

 

The Peoples Democratic Party President along with Kashmiri Pandits has been visiting the holy shrine almost every year to observe the mela. The occasion highlights the special bond between Kashmiri Muslims and Pandits.

 

Meanwhile, DC Ganderbal Shyambir said that Kashmiri Pandits thronged Ganderbal's Kheer Bhawani temple, greeted warmly by locals and the administration. The devotees exuded enthusiasm and joy during their visit. "Elaborate security arrangements were made by the police for the annual mela, while proper provisions for food, accommodation, and sanitation were diligently handled by the district administration," he said. 

 

Furthermore, DDC Chairperson Ganderbal, Nuzhat Ishfaq, congratulated the Kashmiri Pandit Community on Mela Khirbhawani (Jyeshtha Ashtami). She emphasized that Kashmiri Pandits are integral to our lives, and we are interdependent. The pilgrims arriving today were warmly received with garlands by the local residents, and the district administration made ample arrangements for the devotees, she said.(KNS).