Tulmulla: No congressional prayers (pooja) could be held this year on the eve of the prestigious religious festival of Kashmiri Pandits, Mela Kheer Bhawani on Friday, due to the prevailing Coronavirus outbreak related lockdown.
Situated at a distance of about 30 Kilometres from capital city Srinagar, in central Kashmir district Ganderbal’s Tulmulla neighbourhood, the temple of Goddess Kheer Bhawani wore a deserted look, quite different to experience witnessed in past, when thousands of Kashmiri pilgrims from within the valley and outside would throng the shrine, on the occasion, revered by Kashmiri Pandits as one their most important religious festival .
Because of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic and a nationwide lockdown, no congregation was allowed this year at the Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla, however special prayers were prayed by the priests at the temple in presence of a few inmate devotees on the occasion.
Amid security personnel guarding the shrine, no one was permitted to go inside the temple, not even the local Muslims, who wait a whole year for the Mela to serve the devotees, thronging the temple on the occasion in thousands to express their devotion with the Goddess.
Meanwhile Kashmiri Pandits have greeted each other on the occasion and have also received greetings from their Kashmiri Muslim friends stationed in valley and outside, with prayers for their happiness, well being and safety. (CNS)
Discussion about this post