Voice for Peace and Justice welcomes revival of Mata Kheer Bhawani mela in Ganderbal—a celebration of Kashmiriyat

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After a gap of two years following the Covid 19 outbreak, the annual <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/latest-news/mata-kheer-bhawani-festival-being-celebrated-in-kashmir-on-friday-96077.html">Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela</a> at the famous Ragnya Devi temple has been revived.</p>
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The celebrations mark the revival of Kashmiriyat—a home-grown doctrine of communal harmony.</p>
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The voice for Peace and Justice, on occasion, welcomed the pilgrims at Mata Kheer Bhawani at Tullamullah Ganderbal. The said organization distributed water, juice and roses as a gesture of communal harmony, brotherhood and peace.</p>
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Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta today paid obeisance at the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal on the occasion of Mela Kheer Bhawani.<a href="https://twitter.com/diprjk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@diprjk</a> <a href="https://t.co/v1EDPGkoR9">pic.twitter.com/v1EDPGkoR9</a></p>
— Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal (@dcganderbal) <a href="https://twitter.com/dcganderbal/status/1534453712638255105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The term kheer refers to a milk and rice pudding that is offered to propitiate the goddess. Kheer Bhawani is widely worshipped among Kashmiri Hindus of Kashmir, who view the goddess as Kuladevi or protective patron.</p>
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Annual Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela at Tullamulla Gbl with Kmri Pandits flocking the temple to pay obeisance after gap of 2 years,being the holiest shrine of Kmri Pandit community is also symbol of centuries-old eclectic culture & brotherhood among different communities of Kashmir. <a href="https://t.co/pj7sTLHgnq">pic.twitter.com/pj7sTLHgnq</a></p>
— Ajaz Kawoosi (@Kawoosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kawoosi/status/1534734429188284416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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President for Voice for Peace and Justice, Farooq Ganderbali while felicitating the pilgrims said, Kashmiri Pandits are part and parcel of our lives. Unfortunately, the extremism and terrorism created a wedge between the communities but we are incomplete without one another. We shouldn't rely upon administration only to maintain peace in Kashmir, instead, but should contribute our part as well, he observed.</p>
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President, Jammu and Kashmir Youth development forum, Shehreyar Dar, President Uthaan Mission Trust Zeeshan Farooq Dar, General Secretary Voice for Peace and Justice Sheikh Minhaj, Editor in Chief Asian express, Ajaz Kawoosi and BDC chairman Sherpathri, Ali Mohammad Ganaie was also present on the occasion.</p>