Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 27: In view of COVID-19 pandemic and requirement of social distancing norms, the annual Jeistha Ashtami pilgrimage also hangs in uncertainty.
The advisory board of Shri Mata Kheer Bhawani Ji welfare Society Tullamulla (MKBJYWS) which has emerged as the most active coordinating agency for the annual yatra in past four years met in Jammu virtually and took stock of the situation and discussed alternatives.
It was unanimously agreed upon not to undertake yatra this year even though stopping yatra will break the centuries old tradition but under the present circumstances and Government guidelines especially social distancing cannot be maintained in the event of yatra and gathering of devotees at Tullamulla.
The MKBJWS under the chairmanship of Convener Kiran Watal has appealed to all devotees of Mother Ragnya Bhawani to celebrate the Jeistha Ashtami with zeal and zest at their respective places and homes and also pray for the welfare of humanity and riddance from the parent pandemic.
The MKBJWS which is an initiative of Global Solace (NGO) and Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj, also decided to make its services available to Dharmarth Trust, which administers the Kheer Bhawani abode at Tullamulla. “If Trust wants us to do anything in terms of logistics or support to upkeep the minimal tradition and requirement of Jeistha Ashtami, we will be glad to volunteer,” said Watal.
According to Pintoo Ji of Global Solace (NGO) Jammu, the Society Convenor, Watal has already arranged all the necessary and required pooja items along with new dressware (vaster) for the Mother Bhawani to be worn on her auspicious birthday on Ashtami. The items were flown to Srinagar from Jammu.
However, the society has organized a Live Pooja on VOMEDH Facebook Page on 30th May at 11am.
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