Dr. Amit Wanchoo remained in Kashmir during the militancy. He shared, “No Pandit was safe wearing a tilak. I wore one to school, and a militant classmate warned me I'd be killed if I came back. I punched him and returned the next day. After that, everyone respected me. I believe in destiny; I'll die when it's my time, whether in Kashmir or elsewhere.” Gulam Muhammad, a Kashmiri Muslim, has served the temple for 35 years. During the militancy, he took over the rituals in the absence of Pandits. He lost an eye in a terrorist attack outside the temple. He recalled, “I once left for Jammu, but the goddess appeared in my dream, asking me to return as the Pandits weren't cleaning properly. So, I came back immediately.” Gulam once saved Amit’s life from militants. Amit said, “I’ve saved his contact in my phone as Ma Kheer Bhawani. That says everything about him”. Gulam Muhammad Ganai with Amit Wanchoo, Ma Kheer Bhawani Temple , Kashmir.