Srinagar, Apr 02: After 35 years, the Kashmiri Pandits including those who migrated from the Valley in 1990, on Saturday celebrated Navreh and Navratra with religious fervor and zeal in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley.

The Kashmir Pandits, who thronged the temples, especially at Swami Sharika Devi Temple at Hari Parbat, were enthusiastic to perform the religious duties across the Valley after the gap of 35 years.

“It is a new beginning of the new Hindu year and it was after 35 years that the day was celebrated here in Srinagar,” a lady devotee said at Swami Sharika Devi temple.

She said that they want to return to their homeland again and live jointly with Muslims, Sikhs as a society.

Another lady said that the situation has improved to a large extent in the Valley as the present atmosphere is quite different from the time when they left Kashmir. “We want to return to our homeland again,” she said.

Moreover, a special function for Navreh was held today at Sher-e-Kashmir Park here in Lal Chowk area where Muslims, Sikhs and Kashmiri Pandits participated.

“As the day was celebrated after the gap of 35 years, the event has been organizing to recall the togetherness of Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims and Sikhs before 90s,”a participant said. kno