Kashmiri Pandits Gather for Khir Bhawani Festival Amid Tight Security

Khir Bhawani Festival Celebrations Begin

On Sunday morning, hundreds of individuals, including Kashmiri Pandits, departed from Jammu in a convoy of 60 buses to participate in the Khir Bhawani festival.

The festival is set to take place on Tuesday at five Ragnya Bhagwati temples located in Tulmulla, Kulgam's Manzgam, Devsar, Logripura in Anantnag, and Tikkar in Kupwara.

Due to a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and subsequent military actions between India and Pakistan, the number of attendees this year has been lower than usual. However, many Kashmiri Pandits have gathered in large numbers at the Khir Bhawani temple in Tulmulla from various parts of the valley and the country.

Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Arvind Karwani, along with Jammu's Deputy Commissioner Sachin Kumar Vaishya and senior police officials, flagged off the RTC bus convoy from the outskirts of Jammu in Nagrota this morning.

Devotees will visit the temples on Tuesday and return to Jammu the following day. Senior Superintendent of Police Joginder Singh assured that all necessary security measures have been implemented for the pilgrims.

Karwani emphasized, 'All arrangements for the safety of the pilgrims, including their travel and accommodation in the valley, have been made.' In this context, an elderly devotee, Shruti Dhar, expressed her determination to attend the Khir Bhawani festival, stating, 'I have always participated in the festival and feel no fear this time. We have witnessed such situations since childhood. What happened in Pahalgam is utterly condemnable and barbaric.'