Jyeshtha Ashtami Jammu: Kashmiri Pandits celebrate Jyeshtha Ashtami
Srinagar: Members of the Kashmiri Pandit community on Friday gathered at the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Janipur region of Jammu district to offer prayers to the deity on the occasion of "Jyeshtha Ashtami".
A very few people participated in the event due to COVID-19 pandemic.
"Only 20-25 people have been allowed to offer prayers at a time at this temple of Mata Kheer Bhawani in Janipur. We pray to her to drive away the pandemic. In our prayers, we have also asked for our return to our homeland in Kashmir," Virinder Raina, a Kashmir Pandit, told ANI.
Kashmiri Pandits observe Jyeshtha Ashtami every year.
Speaking to ANI, Rohit Koul, a sevak (worker) at the temple, said, "We pray that the pandemic ends as soon as possible and we can return to lead a normal life. At least 12,000-13,000 people used to offer prayers at this temple before the pandemic. Unfortunately, for the last one to two years, no one was allowed to celebrate the festival or even go to the temple in Kashmir. Owing to the COVID-19 protocols, langar (free meal service) has been cancelled. People can only offer prayers at the temple."
"Returning to our homeland is always in our prayers," he added.
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