Srinagar: Governor Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik on Monday visited the Pandits celebrating the Mela Kheer Bhawani and paid obeisance as well.
Hundreds of devotees from the state and outside as well nestled together under the shades of mammoth Chinars at Ganderbal’s village to pray at Kheer Bhawani temple for the annual Zeshta Ashtami festival.
Devotees also thronged to the temple of Mata Kheer Bhawani Asthanapa in Tikker in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Malik thanked the Ganderbal residents for helping the devotees visiting for religious duties and also thanked the administration for making elaborate arrangements for smooth celebrations.
Mela Mata Kheer Bhawani the important festival of Kashmiri Pandits associated with the Hindu Goddess, Mata Ragnya Devi.
The local muslims have set up stalls outside the Temple providing flowers, milk and other items for the Puja.
By Mir Showkat and Tasadduq Hussain