Friday, March 29, 2024
 
Top Stories
Thousands of Devotees arrived Kheer Bhawani temple for participation in annual mela for holy Darshan of Mata Ragniya
 
Jammu June 09(correspondent)
Amid tight security arrangements, hundreds of displaced Kashmiri Pandit devotees left Jammu for Kashmir on sunday to take part in the annual Mata Kheer Bhawani mela, which is one of the biggest religious function of the displaced community, on Monday. official sources said and admitted that large number of devotees arrived to take a participation in annual mela for the holy darshan of Mata ragniya this year.

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 carried rose petals and offered tribute to the goddess as men took a dip in the stream close to the shrine.

Over 60,000 to 70,000 displaced pandits from various parts of India and 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 Sajeev Verma, Relief Commissioner T K Bhat and All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) Chairman Vinod Pandit at Nagrota in the outskirts of Jammu city, same reached safely towards the holy destination officials said.

"We have flagged off the buses carrying Kashmir 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 on sunday

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 five temples of goddess Ragniya and Mata Tripursundri in Kashmir valley to finalise the security, boarding and lodging, and transportation facilities enroute and at the shrines.

All Party Migrant Coordination committee (APMCC) chairman Vinod Pandita said that 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, said Pandita.

He said owing to militancy, the participation by Kashmiri pandits has 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 portable water, sanitation, fire and emergency services, sleeping bags, blankets, LPG cylinders, kerosene oil, rice and wheat flour
"Efforts are being made by the Governor's office and the state administration is helping build the confidence among the exiled Kashmiri Pandit community," the statement said.

The state administration has this year also made the necessary arrangements for travel and accommodation, it said.

Jyestha Ashtami is celebrated at the shrine of Khir Bhawani in Tullamula, Jammu and Kashmir in honour of their patron goddess Ragnya Devi.

Pilgrims come from all over to assemble at the shrine, offer prayers and worship at the foot of the goddess, and sing hymns and songs in her praise.
 
 
 
 
E-Paper Preview
Stock Watch
BSE Sensex
      
NSE Nifty
 
Weather
 
Cricket Scorecard
 
 
© 2009-2010 All Rights Reserved. The Northern Times Newspaper Developed By Ideogram Technology Solutions [P] Ltd.