No mass Mela of Kheer Bhavani, only few devotees allowed amid pandemic
By: Marvi Majeed
Ganderbal
Today’s Mela Kheer Bhavani was different as there was no large gathering of Kashmiri pandits at Tumulla but only a limited number of devotees were allowed to pay obeisance at the temple keeping in view the ongoing pandemic and the sops prescribed by the government.
Tulmulla area of District Ganderbal was having no festivity today as used to be during the Mela Kheer Bhawani earlier as hundreds of Kashmiri local Muslims used to greet the Kashmiri pandits especially those who have migrated from this place to Jammu and other areas.
Pic By Marvi Majeed VOV
Nestled in shades of mammoth Chinar trees the temple has witnessed a rush of devotees since decades, mostly Kashmiri Pandits performing the rituals of the festival around the temple but last year the Mela was cancelled along with other religious festivals due to covid pandemic.
This year the administration decided to allow a limited number of devotees and amid COVID protocols special prayers were held in the temple where devotees offer milk and Kheer to the sacred spring with the hope that the pandemic will end soon.
A sign of Communal harmony is always revisited at this temple during the historical festival which has not only remained limited to festivals but an opportunity for local Muslims who wait eagerly for one year to reunite with the Pandit community who migrated from homeland.
This year disappointment was witnessed among the both communities as they couldn’t meet their dear ones due to limited resumption of Mela.
