Srinagar,: Kashmiri Pandits on Friday returned to the historic Nand Kishore Temple in Sumbal area of Sonawari to participate in the annual Sumbli Mawas festival after a gap of several decades, marking the second consecutive year of the festival’s revival at the temple.
The two-day religious congregation, being held on May 15 and 16, drew devotees from Jammu and various other regions to the temple premises amid religious fervour and emotional scenes.
Members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, many of whom were visiting the area after nearly 36 years, were seen interacting with locals and revisiting places associated with their childhood memories in Sumbal and adjoining villages.
Several devotees became emotional during the festival, saying the occasion had provided them an opportunity to reconnect with their ancestral land, culture and religious traditions.
“This is not merely a religious gathering but an emotional homecoming for many of us. Returning to the temple and meeting people after decades has revived memories of our childhood and our roots,” a devotee said. Participants said the revival of the festival had strengthened hopes for preserving the community’s spiritual and cultural heritage in the Valley.
Locals in the area also welcomed the visiting devotees and participated in facilitating the smooth conduct of the congregation. Devotees appreciated the local administration and police for making adequate security and logistical arrangements, including transportation, sanitation and crowd management, to ensure the peaceful observance of the festival.
