Tulmulla, June 16: Amid the spiritual atmosphere at the revered Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, several Kashmiri Pandit families visiting the shrine voiced a strong desire to return permanently to their homeland, saying Kashmir remains an inseparable part of their identity and memories.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir during their visit to the temple, members of the Kashmiri Pandit community said they long to live once again in the Valley alongside their Muslim neighbours, just as they did for generations before migration forced many families to leave their homes decades ago.
“Kashmir is our birthplace. We have countless memories attached to this land and we want to come back and live here,” said a member of a visiting Pandit family. “Whenever we visit Kashmir, whether during the Kheer Bhawani Mela or on other occasions, we receive a warm welcome from our Muslim brothers and neighbours. Their affection and hospitality make us feel at home.”
Several devotees said that every visit to the Valley revives memories of their childhood, ancestral homes, and the bonds they once shared with local communities. They described Kashmir not merely as a place of residence but as their homeland, where their roots and cultural heritage remain deeply embedded.
A Kashmiri Pandit woman expressed happiness over the gradual return of some families to the Valley after decades. “It is encouraging to see Kashmiri Pandits returning to their homeland. The government is taking positive steps and we hope more families will be able to come back and rebuild their lives here,” she said.
Another woman devotee stressed the need for lasting peace in Kashmir, saying that peace would pave the way for the return of more displaced families.
“We do not want to remain away from Kashmir. We want to return and live here permanently. My son also loves Kashmir and wishes to spend more time in the Valley. We miss this place immensely,” she said, adding that Kashmir continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Pandits living outside the Valley.
The devotees highlighted the centuries-old tradition of communal harmony in Kashmir and expressed hope that the spirit of coexistence between communities would continue to grow stronger. They said they wish to live with their Muslim neighbours in the same atmosphere of mutual respect, friendship, and brotherhood that once characterised Kashmiri society.
Their remarks come at a time when several Kashmiri Pandit families have returned to the Valley after nearly 36 years, rekindling hopes of reconnecting with their ancestral roots. Many said these visits have strengthened their emotional bond with Kashmir and reinforced their desire to return permanently if conditions continue to improve.
The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, one of the most significant religious gatherings of the Kashmiri Pandit community, has long served as a symbol of faith, cultural identity, and the enduring connection of displaced families with their homeland. This year too, devotees from different parts of the country have been arriving at Tulmulla to offer prayers and reconnect with their roots.
