Kashmiri Pandits perform peace yagya

Srinagar, Oct 14 After nearly 20 years, Kashmiri Pandits performed a 'maha yagya' for peace in Jammu and Kashmir at a 2000-year-old 'Rajyoga' centre in Anantnag district.

More than 1,200 Kashmiri Pandits from different parts of the country performed 'yagya' at the centre at Gowswaingund in Dooru tehsil of Anantnag district.

More than 2000 Muslims joined their Kashmiri Pandit brethren despite holy month of Ramzan.

The 'maha yagya' was organised by the All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) while all arrangements were made by Dooru legislator G A Mir and the locals.

''I have come here after nearly 20 years to ring the bells at this historic place dedicated to Rajyoga,'' said APMCC Chairman Vinood Pandita, who has already performed yagyas at seven different temples in south Kashmir.

''The people of the area were eagerly waiting to see their Pandit brethren after nearly two decades,'' he added.

Mr Pandita is among 1,20,000 Kashmiri Pandits who have visited about 23 shrines and temples in the Valley, including Shankaracharaya, Nagbal, Shailputri, Zeethyar Parbat, Kheer Bhawani and Durga Nag, during this year.

The gates of 167 ancient temples across the Kashmir valley were locked since the eruption of militancy in 1989-90.

''It is like homecoming for Kashmiri Pandits who have come to fulfill their emotional aspirations. Their visit to temples in Kashmir is a very positive sign as the government is giving final touches to return of the Pandits to the Valley,'' said Mr Mir while interacting with the migrants.

UNI