Thousands of devotees, including Kashmiri Pandits from across India, gathered at the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmul, Ganderbal district, on Monday, 22 June, to mark the annual Jyeshtha Ashtami festival — one of the most sacred occasions in the Kashmiri Pandit religious calendar. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha joined the congregation, participating in prayers alongside pilgrims who had travelled from different corners of the country.

Pilgrims began arriving at the shrine on Sunday, with many spending the night within the temple complex, taking part in prayers and religious ceremonies through the early hours of the festival day.

LG Sinha and CM Abdullah Lead Greetings

Sharing his experience on X, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, 'Visited Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Ganderbal today to celebrate Jyeshtha Ashtami and pray for the peace and prosperity of all. Truly special to share this joyful occasion and connect with devotees from every corner of the country.'

Addressing the gathering in person, Sinha extended greetings specifically to the Kashmiri Pandit community: 'Heartiest greetings to all, especially our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters, on the sacred occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami. May Mata Kheer Bhawani continue to guide us on the path of righteousness and bless everyone with peace, happiness, good health and prosperity.'

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the mela as a living reflection of the region's pluralistic identity. 'Mela Kheer Bhawani is an occasion of immense spiritual significance and reflects the rich cultural and civilisational heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. The festival symbolises the values of faith, devotion, harmony and coexistence that have been the hallmark of the region's centuries-old composite culture,' he said.

Abdullah added that he hoped the celebrations would 'further strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood and mutual respect among all sections of society,' noting that Jammu and Kashmir's pluralistic ethos has long drawn strength from its shared traditions.

Mirwaiz Extends Greetings Across the Divide

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, senior religious leader and Kashmir's chief cleric, also conveyed greetings to devotees in a message posted on X. 'On the occasion of Mela Kheer Bhawani, I extend my warm greetings to our Kashmiri Pandit brethren. May this day renew the spirit of mutual respect, brotherhood and the shared heritage of Kashmir that we inherited,' he said.

The gesture by the Mirwaiz — a prominent Muslim religious figure — was widely noted as emblematic of the festival's broader significance for inter-community relations in the Valley.

Significance of the Shrine and the Sacred Spring

The Mata Kheer Bhawani temple, dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, is considered the holiest shrine of the Kashmiri Pandit community. Built around a natural sacred spring, the temple draws devotees who traditionally offer kheer — a preparation of milk and rice — to the goddess, a practice that gives the shrine its name.

A long-held belief among devotees holds that the colour of the sacred spring foretells Kashmir's future: a pink hue is regarded as auspicious, while a dark or black tint is considered an omen of adversity. Local elders recount that the spring reportedly turned black before the tribal invasion of 1947 — a detail that continues to carry deep symbolic weight for the community.

The festival holds particular emotional resonance for Kashmiri Pandits, the majority of whom were displaced from the Valley during the separatist violence and terrorism of the 1990s. For many, the annual pilgrimage to Tulmul is as much an act of cultural reclamation as it is a religious observance.

Security and Logistics for the Annual Mela

The Omar Abdullah-led administration made extensive arrangements for this year's festival, covering security, healthcare, sanitation, transport, and accommodation. Security personnel were deployed along the entire route from Srinagar to Tulmul to ensure the pilgrimage proceeded safely and smoothly.

With the administration's visible commitment to facilitating the event and senior political and religious figures from across community lines extending goodwill, this year's Jyeshtha Ashtami is being seen as a marker of the Valley's gradual return to a degree of normalcy and shared civic life.