Nandkishore temple reopened after 27 years
Deepak Zazia from J&K
This Shivratri became special for the displaced Kashmiri Hindus living in different areas of Jammu as migrants this time as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited several camps of Kashmiri migrants here to extend them greetings on the festival. Furthermore, at the Kashmir Valley some moderate locals braving threats of fundamental elements, cleaned a Lord Shiva temple on the eve of Shivratri and re-opened its after 27 long years.
It was a special moment when a group of Muslims youth, braved threats of radical group and opened “Nandkishore Temple”— closed from almost three decades, much to the joy of their migrated Hindu brethren to return to Valley .
The temple was reopened after a gap of more than twenty seven years to celebrate Hindu festival Maha Shivratri and to send a positive message to Kashmiri Pandits. The temple was closed since 1990, soon after Kashmiri Pandits migrated from the valley.
A group of Kashmiri Muslims gathered in the temple and prayed for peace and communal harmony in the State. People present said that Kashmir is not Kashmir without the Kashmiri Pandits.
“We request Kashmiri Pandits to return to their homes. Before 1990’s we used to share each other’s joys and
sorrows. We were taught by Pandits and were always there for each other in times of need and lived together as one happy family,” a local Muslim Mohammad Sultan said.
Farooq Ahmad, another local, said, Kashmiri Pandits are part and parcel of the Kashmiri society and are welcome back. “They are welcome to return to their villages and homes in Kashmir. They are part of this Kashmir garden and we want them to come back and let this garden shine like it used to, before 1990’s,” Farooq said.
“Since they are not here we came here in the temple and cleaned like they used to do and tried our best to celebrate the festival with the aim of sending message to them to return back this paradise that is incomplete without them,” Farooq said.
At Jammu, Mehbooba Mufti made a special gesture to win the hearts and minds of displaced Pandits as she visited several camps to extend “personal greetings” for the Shivratri, becoming the first Chief Minister to do so.
She visited Purkhoo, Muthi, Nagrota and Buta Nagar camps besides Jagti township and extended her greetings to the inhabitants there on the upcoming religious festival.
Interacting with the inhabitants there, Mehbooba Mufti said Kashmiri Pandits are an inseparable part of Kashmir society and the inclusive ethos for which Kashmir is known for ages, is incomplete without them. She said their Muslim brethren in Kashmir are eagerly awaiting for their return.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister took an on the spot appraisal of the facilities being provided to migrants at these places. She said her Government would take all possible steps for the welfare of the community and for
betterment of conditions at their places.
Touched by the gesture of the Chief Minister, Pandits living at these places received Mehbooba Mufti warmly in a traditional Kashmiri style.
She said that the peace will remain elusive unless and until Kashmir Pandits do not feel that they will be able to live in the Kashmir Valley “again”.
“That is real test to us,” the chief minister told Kashmiri Pandits at the Jagti camp. “Please pray on holy night of Shivratri to create peace in Kashmir so that all migrants could return to their homes and hearths with respect and
dignity,” she said.
“It is big need of the time that you return back to your roots with respect”, Mehbooba said. “Kashmir has lagged behind due to your migration from the Valley. You were our assets. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs –all are big treasure of brotherhood and composite culture,” she said. “We lost it in Kashmir, it has come up in Jammu,” she added.
People of different religions live here in Jammu together speaking Dogri, Kashmiri, Gojri, Punjabi and Ladakhi. But we lost this composite culture in Kashmir”, the chief minister said.
