Skip to main content

Preserving our heritage, uniting our community - Kashmiri Pandits Association Delhi.

Welcome to KPA DELHI

Welcome to the Kashmiri Pandit Association, Delhi, formed by a community of Kashmiri Pandits whose ancestors migrated from their homes in the beautiful Kashmir Valley to different parts of India. The defining feature of this group of Kashmiri Pandits is the period during which their ancestors migrated—between 1550 and 1950—across four major historical phases: the Mughal Period (1586–1750), Durrani/Afghan Rule (1750–1819), Sikh Rule (1819–1846), and Dogra Rule (1846–1947). In search of better opportunities, education, and service, many members of the community secured respected positions in royal courts and administrative services. Over time, they settled in cities such as Lahore, Delhi, Agra, Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Lucknow, and even further south in Karnataka.

These Pandit families embodied resilience, a pioneering spirit, and an enduring quest to excel and shine. Despite gradually losing their native language over time, their strong emphasis on education and scholarship—along with mastery of languages such as Sanskrit, Persian, Urdu, and later English—placed them at the forefront of intellectual, administrative, and cultural life across centuries.

Wherever they settled, they distinguished themselves by proudly upholding progressive social values and cherished traditions, while creating vibrant centres of their unique syncretic culture. As they adapted to new social and cultural environments, they remained deeply committed to preserving their core identity—safeguarding their rituals and customs, traditional recipes and culinary practices, and distinctive social mannerisms and codes.

Over time, the Kashmiri Pandit Association, Delhi, has played a vital role in connecting and strengthening this dispersed community. For decades, the Association has worked to preserve its distinctive history and heritage, promote initiatives that spread awareness of the community and its achievements, and bring members together regularly to share meaningful dialogue and fellowship—often around a table showcasing its exceptional cuisine.

A Message from Our President

Gen RN Masaldan, VSM (Retd)

Namaskar, Biradari! As the President of the Kashmiri Pandit Association, I am committed to promoting and preserving our rich heritage and traditions, while bringing our community closer together and strengthening our shared sense of cultural pride.

At KPA, we continuously strive to create meaningful moments where we come together to celebrate our traditions, accomplishments, and history—honouring the legacy passed down through generations.

I aspire to nurture a united community rooted in mutual respect, inclusivity, and a strong sense of belonging, while also building lasting connections among our members. Together, let us celebrate the enduring spirit of Kashmiris and ensure it remains a lasting source of pride and inspiration for generations to come.

About KPA Delhi

Initially, there were two individual associations, one in Delhi and the other in Lahore (now in Pakistan). The association in Lahore was quite active and organised one or two functions every year for Kashmiri Pandit (KP) families. These gatherings provided an opportunity for all the families to meet, usually in the afternoon, and concluded with tea and snacks.

After the Partition in 1947, Kashmiri Pandit families moved out of Lahore and settled mainly in cities such as Delhi, Lucknow, and Allahabad. Many of these families were no longer familiar with the Kashmiri language, as they had not interacted with it for several generations. With Lahore now being in Pakistan, the office bearers of the Lahore Kashmiri Pandit Association (KPA) found it difficult to continue its activities independently and therefore decided to merge it with the KPA, Delhi.

Our Current Executive Team

Executive Member Name

Team Member role

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec 

Ratan Prakash Watal, IAS

(Retd) Vice President

Executive Member Name

Team Member role

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec 

Shlokas for Posh Puja (Pushpapoojanam)

Our Culture

Archive Of KPA

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. 

Famous Kashmiri

KPA Newsletter

Nauroz/Navreh  Dinner Celebrates Kashmiri Pandit Heritage and progressive strength

Nauroz/Navreh  Dinner Celebrates Kashmiri Pandit Heritage and progressive strength

13th April 2025, Sunday was a vibrant celebration of tradition, culture, and community organised by the Kashmiri Pandit Association, Delhi  which hosted a grand  Dinner to mark the auspicious beginning…