The spectre of recent violence in Indian-administered Kashmir overshadows celebrations for a Hindu festival with crowds a fraction of their usual size despite heavy security to mollify fears of an attack. The annual gathering takes place at the Kheer Bhawani temple, a short drive from the city of Srinagar, and is usually a major religious milestone for the local Pandit community. But this year many stayed home, some fearful after the killing of nearly a dozen Hindus and Sikhs living in the Kashmir valley in recent weeks. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES