LG, Omar, Mehbooba greet people on Mela Kheer Bhawani

Srinagar, Jun 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, besides others leaders greeted people, especially Kashmiri Pandit community, on Mela Kheer Bhawani that was celebrated on Friday on the occasion of Zyestha Ashtami.

The Mela Kheer Bhawani, the most important festival of Kashmiri Pandits, was celebrated on Friday with over 2000 devotees offering pooja amid COVID protocol in the central Kashmir district of Ganderbal.

In his message, the Lt Governor said that 'Zyestha Ashtami' holds immense religious importance for Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters. ''The Kheer Bhawani Mela organised at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple has become a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Kashmir, over the years,'' he said.

He said the religious sanctity of Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, constructed above a sacred spring, has a special spiritual significance among the devotees from across the world. ''Festival like Kheer Bhawani Mela is an example of pluralistic values of the land of Sufi Saints and Rishis, an abode of rich cultural harmony, spirituality and mysticism,'' the Lt Governor observed.

''May the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani bring sustained peace, development and prosperity in the UT, and well being & happiness in everyone's life,'' the Lt Governor said.

Taking to micro-blogging site twitter to convey his greeting, Mr Abdullah, who is the vice president National Conference (NC), said may the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhavani bring good health, peace and harmony to all. ''Zyeshta Ashtami greetings to Kashmiri Pandits everywhere,'' he said.

In a statement issued here, Mehbooba, who is the president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that for centuries, the celebration of the Mela Kheerbhawani has been an epitome of harmony and brotherhood in the state and there is a need to strengthen the bond of togetherness between various sections of the society.

The PDP president urged the Pandit community to pray for J&K's prosperity and peace. She wished the day to be the harbinger of happiness and tranquility in Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, senior CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami said that 'the day reminds us about the communal harmony and brotherhood which is the landmark of Kashmiri's rich culture and ethos'.

He said the occasion renews the resolve of the people of J&K towards upholding the value and high traditions of co-existence, brotherhood and communal harmony.

He said the philosophy of Kashmiryat without the existence of Kashmiri Pandits shall be incomplete.