Kashmiri Pandits celebrate Maha Kumbh in Ganderbal
Ganderbal, 21 Nov (PTK) :Hindus, most were kashmiri Migrant Pandits on Sunday celebrated the ‘Maha Kumbh’ at Wayil Shadipora in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district . 
According to Press trust of Kashmir (PTK) a large number of devotees mostly migrant kashmiri pandits gathered at Sangam of jehlum and Sindh rivers near wayil shadipora area in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir to celebrate ‘Maha Kumbh’.
The Sangam (confluence) at wayil Shadipora has always been sacred to the local Pandit community for the immersion of the ashes of their dead, he adds.
A group of Kashmiri Pandits who participated in the event told Press Trust Of Kashmir (PTK) that the Maha Kumbh is the configuration of the 10 celestial bodies including the sun, and has great religious sanctity according to Hindu mythology.
“Maha Kumbh is an event that the devotees could not miss and that is why we have come in such large numbers to be part of this auspicious occasion,” they adds.
The Maha Kumbh this year has been declared by Omkar Nath Shastri, an astrologer whose family is known for publishing Panchang (Hindu almanac) for Kashmiris before the Pandit migration took place in early 1990s.
Bharat raina said at this confluence of Jhelum river and Sindh stream Kumbh is celebrated every 12 years and Ardh Kumbh every six years, adds that a 12-hour long ‘Havan’ (offerings to fire) was started on sunday at Sangam and will end on Tuesday.
“On this day, the devotees take a bath at the holy Sangam to wash away their sins and then proceed to the little island at the confluence where a Chinar tree has been growing since long,” he said.
“This little piece of land at the confluence is the sanctum sanctorum of the holy place. Devotees offer water to the Shivling on this island. After the Havan, the devotees will take ‘Prasad’ and distribute it among their near and dear ones back home,” said Raina.
This is the first time since the migration of local Pandits from the Valley that they have come in such large numbers to be part of the Maha Kumbh at wayil, Shadipora Sangam.
However, in 2011, around 35,000 Hindus, mostly from south India, had gathered at Sangam in wayil, Saidipora village to celebrate ‘Pushkar’ which is basically a south Indian Hindu celebration taking place at river banks.
Meanwhile authorities on Sunday evening made tight security arrangements for the devotees who take part in this event and are now leaving the Valley .(PTK)
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