Jammu, June 9:
Amid tight security arrangements, hundreds of displaced Kashmiri Pandit devotees left Jammu for Kashmir to take part in the annual Mata Kheer Bhawani mela, which is one of the biggest religious function of the displaced community, on Monday. Housing the shrine of Ragnya Devi, a revered goddess of Kashmiri Pandits, the Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla village in north Kashmir’s Ganderbal district is the holiest religious destination for the KPs. Walking barefoot, the devotees carry rose petals and offer tribute to the goddess as men take a dip in the stream close to the shrine. Over 60,000 to 70,000 displaced pandits from various parts of India and
Hundreds of Pandits
abroad are expected to visit five famous temples in the Kashmir valley during Kheer Bhawani fair starting on Zeasht Astami, which falls on June 10 this year. More than 100 buses carrying pilgrims to Kheer Bhawani (Ksheer Bhawani) was flagged off by Jammu Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Verma, Relief Commissioner T K Bhat and All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) Chairman Vinod Pandit at Nagrota in the outskirts of Jammu city, officials said. “We have flagged off the buses carrying Kashmiri migrant devotees to Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir. Apart other vehicles have been sent to other four shrines in North, Central and South Kashmir for paying obeisance at the shrines tomorrow”, Relief Commissioner Bhat told reporters here. Bhat, who personally visited all the five shrines, said there will be huge increase in the KP pilgrims visiting these shrines as compared to past few years. “We have finalised all arrangements in connections with the yatra. I along with the respective heads of various districts and officers visited all the five temples and put in place all the required arrangements,” he said. Bhat visited all the five temples of goddess Ragnya and Mata Tripursundri in Kashmir valley to finalise the security, boarding and lodging, and transportation facilities en route and at the shrines. APMCC chairman Vinod Pandita said this year best ever arrangements have been made at temples of Tulmulla in Ganderbal district, Tikker in Kupwara, Laktipora Aishmuqam in Anantnag and Mata Tripursundri Devsar and Mata Kheer Bhawani Manzgam in Kulgam district for the devotees.
Zeasht Ashtami is celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits across the country and outside and they try to visit Mela Kheer Bawani in the Valley on the occasion.
This year the mela is expected to attract huge participation by over 60 to 70,000 displaced Kashmiri Pandits, he said.
He said owing to militancy, the participation by Kashmiri Pandits had been low, but this year there are indications of a surge in the participation.
Most of the community members are likely to undertake their journey with their families in their own vehicles, but the state administration too has made transportation arrangements for those, who cannot afford it, he said, adding the registration is still on for facilitating the pilgrims.
Apart from the security, other arrangements made by the administration include availability of potable water, sanitation, fire and emergency services, sleeping bags, blankets, LPG cylinders, kerosene oil, rice and wheat flour.
Jammu, June 09: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma today flagged off an annual pilgrimage to Mata Kheer Bhawani shrine in Tulmulla of Ganderbal District from Nagrota Jammu.
A fleet of 84 buses ferrying devotees for a pilgrimage to Mata Kheer Bhawani Tulmulla and other shrines (Logripora, Manzgam and Devsar) in Valley to pay their obeisance on eve of Zeshta Ashtami falling on 10th June left this morning from Nagrota. These buses were in addition to around 15 buses which had already Left for Tikker (Kupwara) on 08-06-2019.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, Commissioner Relief and Rehabilitation (M),T.K Bhat, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Pankaj Magotra, Deputy Commissioner (Relief), V.K Dhar, Assistant Commissioner (Relief), Pankaj Kumar Anand, Assistant Commissioner (Relief), Anshuman Singh, and all Zonal Officers, Camp Commanders and staff members of Relief Organization were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Div Com said that all arrangements have been made for the smooth and peaceful yatra. The administration has made suitable arrangements for hassle-free Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra 2019 en-route Udhampur and Ramban districts. He said the Relief Organization has coordinated the Special arrangements for the smooth and hassle-free journey of pilgrims. To facilitate the devotees, special pick up points were arranged at different locations in Jammu City, besides Jagti, Purkhoo, Nagrota and Muthi Camps. Pilgrims are scheduled to come back to Jammu on 11-06-2019 after celebrating Zeshta Ashtami falling on 10-06-2019.
Later, Div Com also visited Nagrota town to inspect the land identified for developing cattle farms, vermi compose units at Seri Khurd.
He was accompanied by Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation, Pankaj Magotra and revenue officers and other concerned officers. The revenue officers apprised the Div Com of the area identified for development of vermi Compost Units, Bio Gas Units, Cow Sheds.
He asked the concerned officers to formulate proposals to develop these units on the identified land.
