Tulmulla, Ganderbal, Jun 22: Amid the spiritual fervour and devotion of the annual Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela at Tulmulla in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, many Kashmiri Pandits who had returned to the Valley to attend the festival voiced a common sentiment — the desire to return to their homeland permanently, but with dignity, security and respect.
Asha Sazawal, a Kashmiri Pandit who travelled from Greater Noida to attend the mela after many years, said the pilgrimage had rekindled memories of her roots in Kashmir. While appreciating the arrangements made for devotees and acknowledging the support extended by local Muslims, she stressed that the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley should happen in a dignified manner.
“Muslims here have contributed immensely in making arrangements for the devotees, and there is a visible atmosphere of goodwill. But our appeal to the government is that Kashmiri Pandits should be brought back with dignity and respect. Only then will the community feel confident about resettling in Kashmir,” she said.
Recalling the migration of the 1990s, Sazawal said she has noticed positive changes in the Valley and feels less fearful than before. However, she maintained that lasting rehabilitation requires strong assurances regarding security, livelihood and accommodation. “Kashmir is our home. We want peace, and we want Pandits to return and live here honourably,” she added.
Another devotee, Sarla Raina, who migrated from Kashmir decades ago and is presently residing in Jammu, echoed similar sentiments. She said the annual gathering at Kheer Bhawani serves as an emotional reunion with the land they were forced to leave behind. “We want all Kashmiri Pandits to return, not just a few. This is our motherland, and we have every right to live here. The environment for a dignified return must be created jointly by the government and society,” she said.
Many devotees also highlighted the spirit of communal harmony witnessed during the mela. They praised residents for welcoming pilgrims and assisting in various arrangements. Several attendees described the festival as a living example of Kashmir’s centuries-old tradition of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood, saying such gestures strengthen hopes for reconciliation and coexistence.
Bhavna, another Kashmiri Pandit devotee attending the mela, said the festival is not merely a religious event but a celebration of identity, faith and belonging. “We have come here to seek the blessings of Mata Ragnya Devi and celebrate our connection with our homeland. The love shown by people here gives us hope,” she said.
The mela also witnessed touching scenes of interaction between local Muslims and visiting Pandit families. Residents of Tulmulla and adjoining areas extended hospitality to the devotees, helping them navigate the shrine premises and offering assistance wherever required. Many pilgrims described these gestures as a reflection of Kashmir’s age-old tradition of communal harmony and coexistence.
The devotees also praised the spirit of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood witnessed at Tulmulla, where residents joined hands with the administration to facilitate the annual pilgrimage.
Adding further voices to the narrative, Ravi Koul, a displaced Kashmiri Pandit currently residing in Jammu said that Kashmir remains an inseparable part of the community’s identity and emotional heritage.
“Kashmir is our homeland. It is our birthplace and the land of our ancestors. Every Kashmiri Pandit wishes to return to his roots, but the return should be with full dignity, respect and a sense of security. We want to live here not as visitors, but as rightful residents of our homeland,” Koul said while attending the Kheer Bhawani Mela.
Koul added that the annual pilgrimage offers an opportunity for displaced families to reconnect with their cultural and spiritual roots. When we come here and offer prayers at Mata Kheer Bhawani, memories of our childhood and our connection with this land come alive. The bond with Kashmir has never weakened despite decades of displacement,” he added.
Another devotee from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, who is presently living in Jammu after migrating from the Valley in the 1990s, said the pain of separation from Kashmir continues to be felt every day.
“We miss Kashmir every single day. We miss our homes, our surroundings and even our neighbours with whom we shared years of friendship and brotherhood. Seeing the atmosphere here today gives us hope, but our return must be accompanied by respect, security and proper rehabilitation,” he said.
The devotee further noted that while generations have grown up outside Kashmir, the emotional attachment to their homeland remains intact. “Our children have heard stories about Kashmir from us. We want them to know their roots and feel connected to the place where their ancestors lived for centuries. We hope the day comes when displaced Pandit families can return and rebuild their lives in their native places with honour and dignity,” he added.
