Shadow Correspondent
Srinagar, May, 14
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri through video conferencing today reviewed latest position and progress regarding coming Zesht Ashtami festival within Kheer Bhawani Tulmulla, Manzgam, Khanbarni Devsar, Tikker and Logripora with concerned development commissioners and representatives of various organisations managing Hindu shrines in Valley led by Kiran Wattal convenor, Mata Kheer Bhawani Ji Yatra Welfare Society (MKBJYWS) today.
Representatives of all Mata Kheer Bhawani Niwas participated Kheerbhawani Manzgam (Kulgam), of Mata Tripur Sundari (Devsar) Mata Kheer Bhawani Ashapan Tikker Kupwara, Kheer Bhawani Logripora, Anantnag, Mata Kheer Bhawani Dogra Asthapan Jammu , Members for various Sanstha present today Kheer Bhawani welfare Society J&K .Nagdandi B. L. Bhat Manzgam Kuldeep Raina, Lokherpur, Tikker Kupwara, Ravi Bakshi Secretary, Pyare Lal Hitashi, Advisor Prem ji Organiser,Kamal Ganjoo Media & Publicity Secretary, Kiran Wattal President Kheer Bhawani Welfare Society J&K.
Wattal during video conferencing stated that pilgrimage to Tulmulla has registered a phenomenal growth under the administration of LG Manoj Sinha. He said and hoped that the administration would put in its best efforts to make the yatra a memorable experience for the devotees who visit the shrine across the country and abroad like last year wherein best arrangements were made. He emphasized the need for using state-of-the-art tents inside the temple premises, especially German Hangers, for the convenience of devotees. He also hoped that the yatris will not face the problems, like last year where best arrangements were made by LG Administration with active support of Div Com Kashmir and concerned DCs.
Wattal said community was highly hopeful that best facilities like last year will be repeated this year and concerned will ensure hassle free yatra with best security arrangements for the safety of pilgrims enroute the yatra and at the temple. He however demanded Tourism Department to highlights the temple’s cultural and spiritual importance, emphasizing its role in the lives of Kashmiri Hindus. Tourism Department must showcase the origin of Mata Kheer Bhawani by highlighting her significance as Ragnya Devi, a form of Durga or Parvati, and the temple’s cultural and spiritual importance for Kashmiri Pandits. The temple, located in Tulmulla, is a sacred site dedicated to the goddess and is revered by many. The tourism department should tell the story of Lord Rama worshipping Ragnya Devi during his exile, and how, after his exile, she ordered Hanuman to shift her shrine to Kashmir, added Wattal.
Wattal, however, put forward the demand of arranging at least 25 percent more blankets this year as compared to the last year due to the ever-increasing rush of devotees to the temple. The issues deliberated included cleaning of ladies bathing ghats, Installation of German Hanger water proof tentage , installing of water 2HP pumps, vacation of building for Nagdandi Ashram for storing materials , housing lady activists, senior citizens, service crew, restoring of flood lights , adequate water connections, adequate accommodation for Yatris, living halls for yatris, sanitation and sufficient medical care and other facilities within temple premises.
Wattal appreciated Divisional Commissioner for on the spot strictly advising all the district development commissioners and other concerned departmental heads to ensure smooth conduct of the forthcoming yatra and directed that all arrangements were completed at the earliest.He said the representatives of all the Management Committees requested the Divisional Commissioner that all the concerned Deputy Commissioners should form a WhatsApp group to coordinate with the yatra committees, particularly Wattal who is chief coordinator of the yatra.
