Indian Army renovates sacred Hindu Shrine of Mata Kheer Bhawani at Tikker, Kupwara on Minority Rights Day

@JournalistAadil

Srinagar: The Kupwara Terriers of the Indian Army on Saturday inaugurated the newly constructed overhead shed on the pathway to Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple on the propitious Minority Rights Day 2021. This day is observed to protect the rights of minority communities, as a contribution to nation-building and ensuring communal harmony and bonhomie nationwide. 

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kheer Bhawani (Mata Ragnya Bhagwati) constructed over a sacred heptagonal spring known to change its colour with various hues of red, pink, orange, green, blue, white, etc. Every year on Jestha Ashtami Mela, thousands of pilgrims from all walks of life come and offer their prayers with devotion to get their wishes fulfilled by Mata Ragnya Bhagwati. 
However, the pathway to the temple was open and the devotees had demanded an overhead structure to comfort the pilgrims walking to the temple o barefoot during inclement weather.

The Kupwara Terriers took the initiative and commenced the construction work of the overhead shed on the pathway to the shrine  on November 26 and completed it on December 5 before Kupwara could see its first snow fall of the season.

Col Swaraj Bhattacharya, CO I60 Infantry Battalion (TA) (H&H) inaugurated the infrastructure in presence of all three religious clerics, families and locals of Tikker, participated in puja and offered milk & floral tribute to the idol of Kheer Bhawani Mata.
This newly constructed infrastructure by Kupwara Terriers is dedicated to the Kashmiri Hindus known as the ‘Kashmiri Pandits’ in anticipation of their return to the valley and reside peacefully thereby facilitating manifestation of Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava in Kashmir Valley.