Thousands of displaced Kashmiri Pandits visit Kheer Bhawani temple amid improved security
GANDERBAL — Over 214 buses transported thousands of displaced Kashmiri Pandits to the Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal district on Monday, June 22, 2026. This year's pilgrimage saw a record number of devotees, buoyed by what organisers and participants described as an improved security situation in the Kashmir Valley.
Local Muslims and regional political parties, including the ruling National Conference and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, welcomed the pilgrims. Devotees reported feeling safe enough to travel at night, a sentiment echoed by M.K. Yogi, general secretary of the Mata Kheer Bhawani Ji Yatra Welfare Society, which served over 10,000 devotees at its langar.
The visit coincided with Jyeshtha Ashtami, considered the birthday of the goddess. Many participants were young people visiting the Valley for the first time. Anuja Kaul, a 17-year-old from Delhi, said, “It’s my first visit to Kashmir. I got to meet many relatives whom I have never met before. It felt like home. We are eager to return to Kashmir and settle here.”
In addition to Kheer Bhawani, the Pandits visited temples in Anantnag, Kulgam, and Kupwara—sites that were inaccessible during the peak of militancy. Some devotees also shared videos of their abandoned homes. One video of an elderly Pandit woman touching the trees in her former village in Kulgam after 36 years has circulated widely online.
Local Muslims set up stalls selling puja items, reflecting a tradition of interfaith cooperation. Bilal Bhat, a local resident, said, “For the first time, thousands of Pandits have turned up. Muslims opened their arms. Kashmir remains incomplete without Pandits. I urge the Lieutenant Governor to take concrete measures for their return.”
Several universities, including the University of Kashmir, set up stalls to welcome the devotees. Ashok Bhan, convenor of the Kashmir Policy & Strategy Group, said the warmth shown by locals inspires hope for reconciliation and stressed the need for a dignified return and rehabilitation of displaced Pandits.
Political leaders also participated. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti called for moving beyond past grievances and investing in a shared future, highlighting the role of Kashmiri Pandit doctors who treat Kashmiris outside the Valley. National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah described the mela as a symbol of Kashmir’s tradition of communal harmony and prayed for stronger social bonds.
The improved turnaround comes after the 2025 Pahalgam attack, which had reduced attendance last year. This year’s large turnout, combined with public calls for return and reintegration, marks a notable moment in the region’s ongoing reconciliation efforts.
