Kashmiri Pandits celebrate ‘Jyeshtha Ashtami’

Our Correspondent

Kangra, June 10

A large number of displaced Kashmiri Pandits celebrated “Jyeshta Ashtami”, which concluded at the famous shrine of Aghanjar Mahadev, today.

A ‘havan’ was performed. SK Bhat, chairman, organising committee, said the displaced Kashmiri Pandits from different parts of Himachal and Jammu started thronging the temple last evening.

Bhajans and kirtan continued the entire night. Raj Kumar Munshi, a devotee from Faridabad, said “Jyeshta Ashtami”, popularly known as “Mela Kheer Bhawani”, was attended by thousands of displaced Kashmiri Pandits at Tulmula in Ganderbal district of Kashmir every year, but those who failed to visit the Valley, thronged Kangra.

Munshi said he, along with his family, reached here yesterday and enjoyed the festival. A traditional Kashmiri lunch “Prasada” was served to the devotees in the temple. Local Himachali artistes presented bajans and devotional songs.