Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 12: More than 5,000 people, mostly members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, started their journey from here this morning for the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela in the Kashmir Valley amid tight security, officials said.
The Kheer Bhawani Mela, celebrated on Zeisht Ashtami, will take place on June 14 at the shrines of Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Tikker in Kupwara, Laktipora Aishmuqam in Anantnag, Mata Tripursundri Devsar in Kulgam, and Mata Kheer Bhawani in Manzgam.
The four-day pilgrimage started on Wednesday with Divisional Commissioner (Jammu) Ramesh Kumar, Relief Commissioner, Dr Arvind Karwani, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, DIG Trafic, SSP Jammu, Deputy Director Tourism, Rajesh Gupta, VHP president, Prem Sharma, Mata Kheer Bhawani Dogra Asthapan Jammu and Suresh Gupta secretary besides the prominent Kashmiri Pandit leaders including Kiran Wattal president, Mata Kheer Bhawaniji Yatra Welfare Society were present during flagging off the journey from Nagrota in the outskirts of Jammu city.
Singing devotional songs and chanting mantras, the devotees left in 176 buses for the five renowned shrines in the Kashmir Valley.
The Divisional Commissioner while flagging off the yatra said that all the necessary arrangements have been put in place en-route the Yatra by the concerned district administrations and stakeholder departments. The arrangements include busses for transportation, security, accommodation, langar and other facilities for the devotees.
The main congregation will be held at Tulmulla (Ganderbal) on the auspicious occasion of Zyesht Ashtami on June 14, 2024. Relief Organisation, in collaboration with concerned district administration has made all the necessary arrangements for the convenience of the pilgrimage of the devotees of Mata Kheer Bhawani. Yatra shall return back on June 15, 2024, it was informed.
“Over 5,000 Kashmiri Pandits left for Kashmir to take part in Kheer Bhawani Mela. They have left Nagrota early today in 176 buses amid tight security arrangements,” Relief Commissioner, Dr Arvind Karwani said.
He said the pilgrims would halt at Ramban for lunch and asserted that strict security measures have been taken for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
This year, an estimated 80,000 migrant Kashmiri Pandits from various parts of India and abroad are expected to visit the five renowned temples in the Valley during the annual fair.
The members of MKBJWS later themselves joined pilgrims to Kashmir. The MKBJYWS has been playing an important role in becoming a bridge between the officials and public not only to promote the yatra but also make sure arrangements are monitored and followed up with the official machinery.
The Society has arranged the dinner and tea on for 6000 Yatries/ pilgrims at Central University complex Tulmulla Kheerbhawani Kashmir.
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