Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 28: One of the biggest congregations of North India, the annual Jhiri Mela began today with large number of devotees paying obeisance at the shrine of Baba Jitmal “Jitto”. More than 3 lakh devotees from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi besides from various parts of Jammu region have so far arrived at Jhiri to pay obeisance and take holy dip in the pond which is said to have powers to cure skin diseases.
Though the Mela began today yet large number of devotees reached Jhiri area several days before and are still putting up there and this indicates the popularity of this congregation among the people of North India.
The district administration has made elaborate security and other arrangements for the convenience of the devotees. More than two hundred sanitary units have been established by the concerned authorities while as Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department has made arrangements for distribution of ration on subsidized rates among those devotees who have arrived in advance.
The annual fair is being held to commemorate the martyrdom of Baba Jitto, who fought against the exploitation of farmers for years. After paying obeisance at Baba Jitmal shrine, the devotees take dip in holy pond known as “Babe-da-Talab”, which is said to have powers to cure skin ailments.
Different Government departments like -Horticulture, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Floriculture, DRDA, SICOP, DAVP, J&K Bank and School Education have established various stalls in the Mela. These stalls attract large number of devotees.
After inaugurating Jhiri Mela and paying obeisance at the Bawa Jitto devsathan, Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla highlighted the history behind this congregation and said that Mela is held on Kartik Purnima every year in the memory of Bawa Jitto, who laid down his life to defend the values of honesty and justice.
He said that Samadhi of Bawa Jitto is a symbol of his supreme sacrifices, which he made some 550 years ago. Mr Bhalla said that instructions have been issued to departments like RDD, R&B, PHE, PDD, Tourism and Police to provide all basic amenities to the devotees so that they do not face any inconvenience during Mela days.
He asked the Mela Officer M Latefi Tassir to provide ration on subsidized rates to the devotees, adding “it is the duty of every officer to remain present in the Devsthan and come up to the expectations of the devotees”.
The Minister also distributed prizes to best performer stalls which included Ist prize to Horticulture, second to Agriculture and third to Animal Husbandry.
Follow our WhatsApp channel