Janmashtami Celebrations at Gravesend

The KPCS family got together on the eve of Zarmastam to celebrate the festival with much zeal and enthusiasm. An excellent mix of tradition and modernity, the get together was a grand success.




A big thank you to our lovely hosts with the most - Anupama Handoo, Pankaj Raina and Aunty Khemlata Handoo.

It felt like a big joint family function where everyone is doing something or the other, cooking, decorating, setting up and serving. There was lunch for everyone as people came from very far off to participate in the puja and celebration. The menu and preparation was courtesy aunty Khemlata Handoo who served it with much love. The mouthwatering Monj-Nadur, absolutely delightful Phool Roganjosh, Chaaman and Muj Chatin was just perfect for the afternoon.

Lyra & Ishita frying the Pakoris

 Parallely, the Batnee Brigade were busy making the Gaaryi Pakoris with Marchwangun (Chilly Peppers), Vaangun (Aubergine), Olaw (potato) and Choont (Green Apple). There were rounds of different kinds of tea including Kehwa and Sheer Chai keeping the kitchen as busy as it can get!

Aunty Ruby telling the Krishnu Story

The children were busy playing, enjoying the fervour of the Janamashtami festivity and constantly planning and were extremely engrossed in role playing the Krishna story among themselves. Their enthusiasm was encouraged and our dearest Ruby aunty (Mridula Kaul) sat down with the children to tell them the Krishna stories which they thoroughly enjoyed for over an hour...not an easy job to keep these high energy kids engrossed for that long! Well done Mridula Kaul!

Men folk doing the Roff

Children Perform

As the afternoon sun progressed into evening, the variety programme by children and then grown ups began. A range of talents in music and dancing came out and everyone had a great time. The grown ups did Roff (Kashmiri Traditional Dance) and the men folk danced to the very popular spoof done by our biradari members in the US called Pheran Dance (spoof of Lungi Dance, a popular bollywood song). Soon the whole garden was full of all of us dancing, enjoying and having a grand time.

Ishita cutting the cake with kids

Ishita Pandita and Sandeep Pandita, a young couple from Harrow, brought in the cake (eggless) for the celebration of their adorable nephew's 2nd birthday. "Since you are all our family here, this was the best opportunity to celebrate our nephew's birthday amidst all of you and with your blessings for him as he celebrates it with his parents in India," said a happy Ishita.

As everyone settled into the evening's sombre mood, everyone moved to the puja area to begin the Bhajan Sandhya. The Bhajan Sandhya started around 7 pm with Ganesh Vandana, then progressing into Krishna Bhajans, Vishnu bhajans and everyone participated wholeheartedly. By around 1 pm everyone then began singing patriotic songs and it was a highly emotional and charged up environment. The singing of patriotic songs brought childhood memories and tears of joy, pain, love and extreme emotion in all of us. Slowly with dawn fast approaching, the mood lightened up and bollywood old songs took over, moving into ghazals, favourite songs.

In all, yet another amazing community get together, bringing the KPs in the UK closer. It was as usual very heartening to welcome some new faces to the group and see them dance, sing and even make the pakoris! The spirit of KPCS lives on...

Lakshmi Kaul

Bamiyan Budha...by Anupama Handoo in Northern Times

Bamiyan Buddhas all over again

By Anupama Handoo

My uncle was furious. He was looking through his prized collection of National Geograhics’ for a special edition about Bamiyan Buddhas. He wanted to show me how glorious these were and compare those beautiful pictures to the grim headlines of the day’s newspaper – ‘Bamiyan Buddhas destroyed’. I wasn’t particularly young or naïve, I understood that an act of religious fanaticism had destroyed a monument of world heritage. I had seen this fanaticism with my own eyes in 1989-90 when several Hindu temples were destroyed and desecrated in Kashmir. I was hurt and pained but not enough to loose sleep, refuse food and swear in monologue:  I thought that my uncle had lost his mind. I believed that loss of inanimate symbols should never drive sensible people to frustration. I was wrong. Symbolism IS  important .

When we were denied the Kausar Naag pilgrimage in 2014, I felt just like my uncle. He had never been to Afghanistan to see the Bamiyan Buddhas – I had never done the Kausar Naag pilgrimage… but the underlying frustration was probably the same… who gave them the right to rewrite history… all over again?

Every time the fanatics desecrate a temple or rename it, an attempt is made to wish away history.  With every pilgrimage denied and disrupted, they are denying us our roots. Kashmir was Kashyap V:r much before the influence of Persians. Most of the population can still trace their lineage to Hindu families who were forcibly converted to Islam over the years. Why then this mindless whitewash of heritage? The denial of religious and cultural symbolism may appear to remove undesirable chapters from history – but not for long. In the age of Facebook and Twitter, any denial will come to bite back manifold. It will not be easy to erase the Kashmiri Hindu existence from the history of Kashmir. In the process, the links will get stronger and undeniable. Long after they were mindlessly destroyed, Bamiyan Buddhas have not been forgotten – neither will be Martand Temple, Shankaracharya Hill, or KausarNaag….

Innaugural KPCS Professional Conclave: 2nd August 2014

First KPCS Professional Conclave, Luton held on 2nd Aug 2014

In an attempt to bring together, KP professionals from all walks of life the first KPCS Professional Conclave was held in Luton recently. Attended by top professionals and entrepreneurs from the KP community living in the UK, this half a day programme was very well received. 

Professional presentations on topics ranging from healthcare to bio-medical research and innovation, alternative careers like civil services, shipping and entrepreneurship were presented and discussed. 

Topics discussed: 
1.How to maximize NHS care - Dr. Sundeep Kaul
2. Marine pilot - as a career - Mr. Pankaj Raina
3. Enterpreneurship awareness - Mr. Sanjay Razdan
4. Changing Careers & Civil Services as a career - Ms. Mridula Kaul
5. 3D image proceeding for preoperative planning and new prosthesis design & development - Dr. Ashwani Harkara

The Conclave is the brainchild of Ashish Raina and Vinod Tikoo. Here is what Ashish says what the Conclave is about:

"It's about Today and Tomorrow. Today most of is have professional occupations that were all proud of. As a community we believe due to this we're a powerhouse. But a powerhouse has many generators working together for the same goal, paths may be different and that's what makes it a Powerhouse. So first thing what can we do today that following our individual paths we can contribute to - and benefit from the Powerhouse. The answer for me is simple- Connect professionally, share and grow together. If we do that today we are then creating a platform for our future generations to plug into this Powerhouse for Learning, Inspiration, Guidance, Growth. And this is building an economically and socially cohesive, potent and forward thinking community where it's not only the social and heritage that binds us together but more importantly a very good professional reason to be together. That I believe can only be good."

If you would like to find out more and participate in future Professional Conclaves please write to us using the contact form on our homepage. 

-Team@KPCS, UK

Kashmiri Pandit community recreate the magic of Kheer Bhawani Puja in London

Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society (UK) in association with Vishwa Hindu Kendra, Southall organised the very first Kheerbhawani Puja Celebrations in London.

Twenty Four years ago the Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) were forced to flee the homeland they once called their own and are perhaps the only community that have been living as ‘migrants’ in their own country ever since. Among various other traditions and rituals lost because of the forced migration, the annual visit to the Tulmul Kheerbhawani shrine in Kashmir has remained simply a reminiscence of childhood memories for all the displaced KPs.

The Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society (UK), a group of vibrant and dedicated Kashmiri Pandits in the UK have attempted to recreate the memories of the Tulmul spring and Mata Kheerbhawani puja right here in the heart of London. On 28^th June 2014 anyone who attended the day’s proceedings at the Vishwa Hindu Kendra, Southall were transported very magically to Kashmir to the Tulmul Springs and shrine of Mata Kheerbhawani. Nearly 400 Kashmiri Pandits and other Hindus participated in the much revered Kheerbhawani puja with people also coming all the way from Holland, India and other parts of the UK – Bristol, Birmingham, Oxford, Hull, Cambridge etc.

The occasion was graced by a number of dignitaries:

MP Virendra Sharma of the Ealing and Southall Constituency. Mr. Sharma currently chairs the Indo-British All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and is Vice-Chair of the APPG for British Hindus. 

Mr. Ranjit Dheer, Councillor & Deputy Leader of London Borough of Ealing.

Mr. Sanjay Jagatia, Director/Secretary General of Hindu Council UK.

Mr. Madhava Turumella, Vice President Hindu Forum, UK and Director of Council of Dharmic Faiths, UK.

Ma Ragnya Devi is the presiding deity of the KPs. One of the most sacred pilgrimages for KPs is the visit to the Kheerbhawani temple in Tulmul particularly on the auspicious occasion of Jyestha Ashtami.

The day started with an audio-visual presentations showcasing how the puja was celebrated in Kashmir. A slide show on socio-cultural and religious heritage & traditions of Kashmir was also shared with the spellbound audience. “The celebration of the Tulmul Kheer Bhawani Festival evoked fond childhood memories”, said Dr. Vivek Kaul from Oxford.

This was complemented by an exhibition of unique Kashmiri objects & artefacts on display. The dignitaries and other guests showed keen interest in this unique exhibition.

The programme of the day included Mata’s havan performed with ‘Shri Maha Ragnya Sahasranam’. The havan lasted for three hours, culminating with a poornahuti, followed by prasad to all the devotees. This was followed by singing of bhajans that comprised a mix of Kashmiri and Hindi bhajans. “What a hallowed day! Ma Bhavani came to visit us all the way from Tulmul and blessed us,” said a mesmerised Mridula Kaul, Greenwich. Vikas Labroo from Sutton said he felt “spiritually uplifted and elevated throughout the day.”

Anupama Handoo fondly recalled the entire journey to making this dream come true, “To celebrate the kheerbhawani mela in the UK came about initially as a casual chat among friends.  But the momentum of this vision brought together KP professionals from all walks of life who put in a lot of time and effort to realise the dream.  From planning to publicity to preparation and finally the execution on the day- it was teamwork all the way.”

An eight-point petition for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits was put forth for signatures on the day. All the dignitaries led by MP Virendra Sharma signed the petition for wholeheartedly supporting the demands of KPs for their rehabilitation and reversal of the damage done to the ethos and morale of the community by continued ignorance of various Indian governments so far. 

“I congratulate the Kashmiri Hindu community for this auspicious celebration. Let this be the beginning of a movement and not a one off event for your community. I along with my colleagues will extend our support to you”, said MP Sharma. He also pledged his support to further lobby the cause of the KPs in the Parliament and work with the community leaders to influence international pressure for necessary action by Indian government for the betterment of the community.

Speaking on the occasion,

Mr. Sudarshan Bhatia, President of the Vishwa Hindu Kendra, Southall said, “Live and let live has been the philosophy of Hindus. It is not a religious issue, the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits is a humanitarian issue and they must be rehabilitated with dignity.”

The KPCS (UK) volunteers have been working dedicatedly to not only bring the community together but also showcase Kashmiriyat for local communities in the UK. Says Lakshmi Kaul, KPCS (UK) Executive Member & Community Worker, “We are grateful to MP Virendra ji, the Hindu Community in London and the management of Vishwa Hindu Kendra, Southall for their whole hearted support to our cause and efforts. We dream of our homeland and in our small ways are trying to recreate it in our hearts where we reside now. It will be another dream come true if we could have a dedicated Cultural & Religious resource centre here in the UK so that our children remain connected to their roots.”

About Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society (KPCS), UK: After our exodus from the Kashmir valley in 1989-90, we Kashmiri Pandits have been scattered all over the globe; a community known for its tolerance and hardwork. There is a small group of vibrant expats in the UK who have come together to form a socio-cultural group Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society (KPCS), UK. We get together for religious, social, cultural community events like Mahashivratri, Navreh (Kashmiri New Year), Holi, Diwali etc. We also morally support one other as one big family. The aim of the group to spread awareness of Kashmiri Hindu culture, traditions, food and language among the local community. Occasionally, we also raise money for noble causes pertaining to not only the Kashmiri Pandits but also the wider community (local and in India).

Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kashmirrevisited

The Making of London Tulmul (Kheerbhawani) Festival 2014 in Pictures...

When the banner was put up outside the temple..

Getting the Hawan area ready...

Meenakshi Labroo, getting the prasad ready..chop chop chop!

Sound Testing!! Vinod Tikoo and Pankaj Raina

Sound Testing!! Anupama Handoo and Shiven Raina :)

Team KPCS rocks!! Vinod Tikoo, Shafalica Bhan Kotwal, Anupama Handoo, Mridula Kaul, Nainika Tikoo

We always have time for Selfies....Lakshmi Kaul, Shafalica Bhan Kotwal & Ishita Pandita

The Prep-Meeting and Dry Run...Shafalica Bhan Kotwal, Mridula Kaul and Sarchana Bakshi

The Prep-Meeting...all about Kal-Doads!! Anupama Handoo, Shafalica Bhan Kotwal & Vinod Tikoo

Bhajan Mandli practice - Mridula Kaul, Shafalica, Sarchana Bakshi, Ishita Pandita, Sandeep Pandita, Sunil Bhat, Ashutosh Bakshi

Herath Mubarak - Like Never Before!

What a beautiful collection of herath puja pictures!! All from different households shared in the whats app group by London Kashmiri Pandit families. Not once has it felt we are away from home/family this time!! 

Right from sharing of menu to puja vidhi, things to remember, how to do or make something.. Herath has been made very very special!!

If this is not love and community bonding, what is!

Herath Mubarak once again!!