Ganderbal, June 08 (KNS): After remaining suspended for two years due to Covid-19, Mela Kheer Bhawani starter at Tulmulla area of Ganderbal district on Wednesday as Kashmiri Pandits and other devotees thronged the temple of Mata Ragnya Devi.
Reports reaching Kashmir News Service (KNS) said that the annual mela started today after a gap of almost two years as the festival was suspended due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, devotees, who visited the temple for annual Mela said that they were happy to celebrate the festival after a gap of two years.
“I came here from Jammu and this year I had decided to pay the obeisance at the temple at any cost. Those who did not come are unlucky and when we came here we were welcomed with garlands,” said a devotee.
She also said that they are happy with the arrangements made by the locals and and administration.
Notably, the authorities have made available free SRTC bus service for the devotees to visiting Kheerbawani Temple from various public places and roadsides like Nehru Park, Shankar Acharya, TRC Srinagar, Airport Srinagar, Indira Nagar, Tulsi bagh, Mattan, Vessu, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pulwama, Kulgam, Budgam and Pulwama.
The annual festival is held here on ‘Jeshtha Ashtami’ when devotees seek the blessings of the deity.
According to belief, the goddess changes the colour of the spring’s waters, which are ascribed to different manifestations of the goddess.
Meanwhile, on the occasion Kashmiri Pandits were seen performing the rituals of the festival at the temple and Muslims were seen greeting them. (KNS)