MLA Pampore, Sanjay Saraf, senior officials visit shrine; devotees laud arrangements, communal harmony on display
PAMPORE, July 28: Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as from across the country, gathered at the historic Mata Jawala Ji Temple in Khrew, Pampore, on Monday to celebrate the annual Haar Tshodah festival with religious fervour and devotion.
Devotees offered special prayers and performed traditional rituals, seeking peace, prosperity, and well-being. The annual festival, observed to commemorate the birthday of Shri Jawala Mata Ji, holds immense religious and cultural significance for the Kashmiri Pandit community.
Eyewitnesses told Morning Kashmir that devotees continued to arrive at the shrine throughout the day to participate in the celebrations. The temple wore a festive look as devotees performed religious ceremonies amid an atmosphere of faith and enthusiasm.
The devotees appreciated the elaborate arrangements made by the district administration for the smooth conduct of the festival. They expressed gratitude to the Civil Administration, Revenue Department, Municipal Committee Khrew, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Health Department, Police, and the Army for ensuring a safe, peaceful, and comfortable pilgrimage.
Expressing satisfaction over the arrangements, Mahraj Krishan Raina, President of Jawala Ji Samiti Khrew, told Morning Kashmir the devotees received all the facilities they had requested from the administration.
“We are extremely satisfied with the arrangements made by all the line departments. Every facility we requested was provided in a timely manner, making the pilgrimage smooth and comfortable for the devotees. We sincerely thank the district administration and all the departments for their wholehearted support and cooperation,” Raina said.
The Indian Army also organised a langar (community meal) and a free medical camp at the temple premises for the convenience of the devotees.
The festival once again reflected the Valley’s age-old tradition of communal harmony, with members of the local Muslim community from Khrew and adjoining villages extending a warm welcome to the visiting devotees. Local residents facilitated the availability of worship-related items and offered every possible assistance to the pilgrims throughout the day.
One World Aid Trust also organised a refreshment distribution programme for devotees during the festival. Executive Member Faisal Bilal and other members of the Trust welcomed the devotees and participated in the service initiative.
MLA Pampore Retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi visited the temple and interacted with members of the Kashmiri Pandit community and other devotees. Extending his greetings on the occasion, he assured them of every possible support and cooperation.
Masoodi told Morning Kashmir the Haar Tshodah festival has historically symbolised Kashmir’s centuries-old tradition of communal harmony and brotherhood.
“This festival has always been celebrated collectively, with people from different faiths coming together to make it a success. Muslims, Sikhs and members of other communities have traditionally stood shoulder to shoulder with their Kashmiri Pandit brethren, setting a remarkable example of communal harmony. I personally reviewed the arrangements to ensure that every necessary facility was put in place for the smooth conduct of the festival, he said.
Lok Janshakti Party leader and National Spokesperson of the Rashtriya Janshakti Party (RJP), Sanjay Saraf, also visited the shrine, interacted with devotees and extended his greetings on the annual festival.
“We celebrate this festival here every year with great devotion. I am grateful to the local people, the district administration, the police and all other security agencies for making excellent arrangements and ensuring the peaceful and smooth conduct of the festival,” Saraf told Morning Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Awantipora Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, visited the Jawala Ji Temple to review the arrangements for the festival. During the visit, the ADC inspected various facilities and interacted with the temple management to assess the preparations made for the smooth conduct of the annual event.
Assuring the management of full support from the district administration, the ADC directed the concerned departments to ensure the availability of all essential facilities and services for the convenience of the devotees.
The ADC was accompanied by Executive Engineer, R&B Division Awantipora, Tehsildar Pampore Malik Asif Ahmad, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Khrew, Station House Officer (SHO) Khrew Naieem Rashid, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), KPDCL, and other concerned officers.
