Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 27: Thousands of people including a large number of devotees arrived at Jhiri village, the shrine of Baba Jitto, near the Indo-Pakistan border in Marh Sub Division of Jammu district where 8-day Mela commenced today.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar inaugurated the Mela this morning in presence of District Administration Jammu besides prominent persons and public representatives/PRIs of the area.
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About seven to eight lakh devotees, mainly from Jammu region, besides Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi NCR and Haryana visit Jhiri Mela every year to commemorate the sacrifice of Baba Jitto, a farmer who gave up his life in protest against the oppressive demands of local Zamindar of Jammu area about 500 years ago.
His daughter Bua Kouri, according to the legend, sacrificed her life by jumping on her father’s funeral pyre.
During the Jhiri Mela, devotees pay obeisance at the temple dedicated to Baba Jitto and his daughter at village Jhiri. Devotees take customary dips in the Baba-da-Talab, a natural pond four km from the temple, before offering prayers.
The head priest of Baba Jitto temple Bubnesh Mehta said this is one of the biggest fairs in north India with around one lakh people visiting the place on daily basis.
“All the necessary arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the fair.This is a major fair for the farmers after crop harvesting. The fair was already brought on the tourism map in view of its religious significance,” Ramesh Kumar told media-persons after reviewing arrangements and paying obeisance at the temple.
He said the Government has put up special awareness stalls to inform the visitors, especially farmers, about the new schemes and technologies introduced for their benefit.
“Since it is a very popular fair, the Government departments have put the handicraft and handloom products on display, while special focus is also being given to boost cultural and sports activities,” the Divisional Commissioner said.
Reflecting on the occasion, he highlighted the exemplary sacrifice of Baba Jitto, emphasizing its significance in the fight against injustice. To add to the festivity, the event is set to witness a series of colorful cultural programmes/ events will be held during the fair.
After paying obeisance at the temple of Baba Jitto and Bua Kouri, Divisional Commissioner along with other officials inaugurated the Government stalls and exhibitions showcasing different Government schemes, particularly those for the farmers. The local attraction of the day was a Dangal competition organized by Mela Management Committee, featuring wrestlers from J&K, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, UP and Rajasthan.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishya; SSP Jammu Dr Vinod Kumar , SSP Traffic Jammu, Fiesel Qureshi, along with other officers in the District Administration also witnessed the inauguration ceremony and took on the spot assessment of the arrangements put in place for the smooth conduct of fair. They also interacted with the Baba Jitto Temple Management Committee and other field officers from various departments deployed there.
DDC member Marh Balbir Chand, BDC Chairman Marh Surinder Bhagat, SDM Marh Manu Hans and officers of the Tourism Department were also present on the occasion.
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