BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE: Devotees light oil lamps during the annual pooja at the Kheerbhawani temple at Talmul, north of Srinagar, on Wednesday.Devotees from all over Jammu and Kashmir arrive here to attend the annual pooja. - PHOTO: PTI

TULMUL: The situation may not have changed altogether. But it does not deter thousands of Kashmiri pandits from reaching this village to take part in the annual festival of Kheerbhawani Mata. At the same time, they are not willing to return and settle in the "security zones."

For the last few years it has become a permanent feature to receive thousands of Kashmiri pandits who are temporarily settled outside the Valley. "The situation has certainly improved. I came last year also with my parents," says Vikas Koul, who was born here but brought up in Jammu. Like him there are many who are encouraged to extend their stay in Kashmir. "We have some friends and relatives and we are planning to visit Gulmarg and Pahalgam after this," said Muni. From early morning, bus-loads of people made a beeline to Tulmul, around 25 km from Srinagar.

Kheerbhawani is a revered shrine for the pandits. After a majority of them fled the Valley, they constructed a similar temple in Jammu and the area was named Bhawani Nagar. Every year on this day the festival is celebrated in this temple as well. The temple was constructed by

The Dogra ruler, Mahraja Partap Singh, in 1896 and Swami Vivekananda visited it in 1897.

Authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth and peaceful journey of the pilgrims. "We have not compromised on their security even as they feel relaxed here," said a senior official. Not only the officials but also the local Muslims were part of the festival who had set up stalls of candles and flowers. There were many Muslim volunteers helping the devotees to go around. "We are

delighted to be among our Muslim brethren who are very kind to us," said Vinod Raina, who had come from Baroda.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his ministerial colleagues Hakim Yasin and Qazi Afzal visited the area and assured the pandits of all the help in their safe return to Kashmir. "Devotees have appreciated our government's efforts to restore the temple for which Rs 10 crores were allocated," said Mr Sayeed.

Though the pandits have the urge to return to their homes, they feel that it should happen with the consent of the majority community and not by settling in the government constructed clusters.

Rajni Dhar, a middle aged woman sitting under a huge chinar tree, said, "I miss this breeze and the shade and want to come back." M.L. Bhat, who is

settled in Jammu, said, "We are keen to return but do you think in this situation is it possible?" "We will not come and settle in the security zones. We should be free to move as we were prior to 1990." But Bhushan Lal is not ready to return.

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