Srinagar, June 3 -- The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela was celebrated with religious fervour and cultural unity at the historic Mata Ragnya Devi temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal. Thousands of devotees, primarily from the Kashmiri Pandit community, thronged the temple to offer prayers and perform age-old rituals in a vibrant atmosphere underscored by communal harmony.

Set amidst towering Chinar trees, the temple saw an emotional homecoming of Kashmiri Pandits from across the country. Many of them had returned to the valley after decades to participate in the auspicious Jyeshtha Ashtami celebrations, marked by offerings of milk and Kheer to the sacred spring.

"This day is not just about rituals-it's about rekindling old ties and healing wounds th...