Ganderbal, June 22:  Thousands of devotees, mostly Kashmiri Pandits from across India and abroad, converged at the Mata Kheer Bhawani shrine in Tulmulla early Monday as the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela began on Jyeshtha Ashtami. The atmosphere was charged with chants of “Bhawani Mata Ki Jai” and a strong spirit of communal harmony. The number of devotees attending the annual Mela is seen more this year than previous years.  By sunrise, the temple complex and the sacred spring were packed with devotees offering ‘kheer’ — milk and rice — to Goddess Ragnya Devi.