Brari Mark Asthapan witnesses Kashmiri Pandit hawan with huge participation

Pulwama, Jun 19: A large number of Kashmiri Pandit devotees from across the country on Friday converged at Brari Maej Asthapan temple in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district to perform the annual hawan amid heavy rains.

The devotees reached Murran village, around four kilometres from the district headquarters, to participate in the traditional rituals that were revived after decades of disruption due to militancy in the region. Local resident Bodh Raja Bhat, now settled in Delhi, said the community had been unable to perform the hawan for many years following the outbreak of militancy in the early 1990s. “However, we restarted the rituals in 2024, and since then devotees from different parts of the country have been joining,” he said. Community members said they were warmly assisted by local Muslims during the religious ceremonies, describing it as a gesture of communal harmony. “Scores of devotees came from almost all parts of the country to take part in the hawan and pooja,” another participant said. Brari Maej Asthapan temple holds historical and religious significance and finds mention in the Nilamata Purana, an ancient text that documents Kashmir’s cultural and religious heritage. Devotees said the temple continues to symbolise the region’s shared traditions and enduring spiritual legacy. Despite continuous rainfall, pilgrims remained engaged in the rituals throughout the day, with many saying the gathering carried deep emotional value as it marked a reconnection with their ancestral roots. MLA Rajpora Ghulam Mohidin Mir also visited the village and interacted with the devotees.

Expressing solidarity with the displaced community, he said it was unfortunate that Kashmiri Pandits had to leave their homeland in the wake of the violence of the 1990s. “They have suffered immensely over the past three decades due to displacement,” Mir said, adding that all stakeholders, including religious leaders, must work towards promoting trust and creating conditions conducive for their dignified return and rehabilitation.