Bilal Bahadur

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

DSC_4438It was a damp day with drizzle having no hiatus in first half of the day. But even then the dovotees, Kashmiri Pandits, flocked together and kept the bells ringing at annual Mata Kheer Bhavani festival at Ganderbal’s Tulmulla. But this year, the soaked day had ensured empty lawns dotted with relatively thin devotees walking barefoot with saffron mark on their foreheads to observe the day. DSC_4500Amid downpour, the devotees were finding it too hard to light up earthen lamps. Though the big branches of mighty Chinars planted inside were providing a blanket cover to the praying lots, but seepage was still soaking everything inside. Amid this ambiance, Kashmiris Pandits were huddled around non-Kashmiri priest, whose hymns were competing with audio bajans played at community kitchens. DSC_4514In a drenched day though, some devotees sans getting perturbed with weather were apparently at peace with prayers. But many KPs-turned-“religious tourists” were candid enough to decry over “elusive” peace. Peace had a name though: “Lost K-connection”. But then, what prevents them to come back? “You know, 25 years is a long time, a very long time indeed to rebuild your life somewhere else.”DSC_4575With showers finally paving way to sun, the rush inside the temple mounted with KPs, army and non-Kashmiris walking together to pay obeisance. For the day when KPs relatively made their least presence felt, others made their glaring presence. Change was too revealing. DSC_4624Many among those who had turned up for the occasion were short of words to describe the feeling of living away from home. Not everyone though was nostalgic. For the new generation, “move on” is the new mantra.     DSC_4671Meanwhile with bells continuously tolling at the temple entrance, the praying enthusiasm started picking up inside. Amid the fervour came an anguish- the anguish to return to plains with “harsh sun”. So much about the weather! DSC_4446Spreading colour and cheer, Kashmiri Pandit women had a ‘cathartic’ day out. For the day, their “scattered roots” outside Kashmir converged at their native place. They greeted, hugged and exchanged pleasantries with each other. For them, it was an occasion of “reliving the past”.  DSC_4479And inside the temple, some couldn’t hold themselves to dance on the religious tunes. The occasion apparently created a marriage-type celebration around. Amid cheers and chants, these ladies seemed to have rejuvenating moment. With the day fast assuming an importance of “get-together”- of course for the religious reasons, some say, its is only surviving social gathering for KPs in Kashmir. DSC_5013Feeding the spring with milk makes the occasion special for KPs. Over the years with KPs away, many non-state devotees have maintained the tradition. That’s way an ‘army’ of praying lots was competing with KPs.DSC_4825For many, the moment of religious gathering was a cathartic experience to get nostalgic. Apart from performing pujas, scores sitting in small gathering were in the middle of chit-chats. They talked about their past, present and future in Kashmir. Past, they say, makes them “nostalgic”. Present, they say, makes them “unsure”. And future, they say, makes them “clueless”. Perhaps Shakespeare’s Hamlet is still relevant: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio!”

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