SRINAGAR, JAMMU/KASHMIR, April 28, 2016 (The North Lines): Centuries-old Vetaal Bero temple in the highly-sensitive area that had been shut after most pandits were forced to migrate to Jammu and other parts of the country due to militancy in 1990, was reopened on Thursday. Jogi Langkar (canteen where food is served for sadhus) in Rainawari area of Srinagar, the locality in the heart of old city that was once home to a high number of Kashmiri pandits, is again reverberating with the sound of temple bells after 27 long years.
“After the migration of Kashmiri pandits, the area of the temple was illegally sold by Dharmarth Trust to a local property dealer. When residents in the area came to know about it, they informed Kashmiri pandits of the locality in Jammu, who responded with swift legal action and the area was recovered from the property dealer,” Rajindra, who resides near the locality, said.
Another Kashmiri pandit Utpal Koul, who used to reside next to the temple, said, “This temple is centuries old, even I remember during early nineties special langar used to be organized here for Amarnath pilgrims. Today is the birth anniversary of Lord Bero and we came to celebrate this festival here from different areas of the country and even some families have come from US for this occasion.”