Jammu, Oct 18: The two-day pilgrimage to the revered Shri Bala Devi temple at Balhama, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Kshatriya Samaj, concluded with traditional puja, havan-yagna and a reaffirmation of the resolve to preserve Kashmir’s civilisational heritage and revive its ancient spiritual connections on Sunday.
Leading the pilgrims and participating in the traditional puja and havan proceedings, Ranbir Singh Pathania, BJP MLA from Udhampur East and Zorawar Singh Jamwal, president of Team Jammu and J&K BJP spokesperson, described the Balhama shrine as a repository of Kashmir’s history, culture, spiritual wisdom and civilisational treasures that transcend the boundaries of geography, religion and time.
Pathania observed that Kashmir’s ancient shrines are not merely places of worship; they are living testimonies to a profound spiritual heritage whose message remains eternal, universal and relevant to every age and every section of humanity.
Referring to the distinctive features of the Balhama shrine, Pathania drew attention to its five sacred deodar trees, traditionally associated with an ancient sacred spring, and the sacred shilas revered in connection with Tripura Sundari and the Shakta traditions reflected in Kashmir’s religious literature.
Jamwal said “They are repositories of collective memory, faith and tradition. The stories associated with them, the spiritual meanings they carry and the historical truths they may preserve deserve serious study, documentation and wider recognition.
Our sacred heritage must not remain unexplored or hidden from the world.”
Reiterating the larger objective behind the pilgrimage, Pathania said that the initiative must be seen as part of a wider endeavour to reclaim Kashmir’s forgotten spiritual links and reconnect people with their civilisational roots.
“Today, Balhama; tomorrow, Sharada Peeth in the Neelam Valley. Our resolve is to open a permanent channel for pilgrimage to the revered Sharada Peeth in POJK and to lead a yatra there when circumstances permit. We want these sacred connections restored through peaceful, lawful and sustained efforts,” he said.
Muslims of Balhama: A Living Example of Coexistence
A particularly heartening aspect of the pilgrimage was the welcome extended to the yatris by local Muslim residents of Balhama. Their association with the shrine’s protection during the difficult years of terrorism was highlighted as an important example of humanity and communal coexistence.
“The people of Balhama have conveyed a message that deserves to be heard far beyond Kashmir. When people stand together to protect a place of worship, they protect the dignity of an entire civilisation. This is the true spirit of Sarva Dharma Sambhav—respect for every faith and protection of every community’s right to preserve its sacred heritage,” BJP MLA said.
Drawing a parallel with other instances of inter-community cooperation in the preservation or rediscovery of religious sites, he said that Kashmir’s history must be approached with openness, historical rigour and respect for the contributions of people across faiths.
Purshotam Pathania, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust; Sheikh Ajaz, DDC Khanmoh, Sewa Singh Mankotia, SP were also present on the occasion. They appreciated the initiative undertaken by the Kshatriya Samaj to reconnect the community with its sacred heritage and promote the preservation of Kashmir’s religious and cultural landmarks.
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