Low-key Kheer Bhawani Mela

Srinagar, May 30

The doors of the Ragnya Devi temple at Tulmulla in Ganderbal district remained shut on Saturday as no Mela Kheer Bhawani festivities were held due to the lockdown.

Though a puja was held by some devotees, mostly the temple trust members, devotees had to return without having a darshan.

“We thought we will be allowed to go inside while maintaining social distancing but the doors were shut. It is unfortunate that we have not been able to celebrate our festivals due to the coronavirus outbreak. Nevertheless, we prayed for peace and the pandemic to end soon. We pray to Mata to help us in overcoming the pandemic,” Manohar Pandit, a devotee, told reporters outside the shrine.

“Mela Kheer Bhawani epitomised the bonhomie between Muslims and Pandits. Pandits would converge here and the Muslims of Ganderbal district would give them a warm welcome. Unfortunately, due to the lockdown, we could not celebrate the mela,” said Suhail, a resident. — TNS