Amid tight security arrangements, religious fervour and chanting of hymns and slogans by the devotees, the annual Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra was today flagged off to Kashmir by IGP Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, in presence of Deputy Commissioner Jammu Sachin Kumar Vaishya and Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (M), J&K Dr. Arvind Karwani.
Several other Senior Police and Civil Officers, including DIG JKS-Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, SSP Jammu, Joginder Singh, Director ULB, Manisha Sareen, Director Tourism Jammu, Vikas Gupta, ADM Jammu, Rakesh Kumar, SP Rural Jammu, Brijesh Kumar Sharma, CAO-Relief, Shiwani Bhan, AC (Relief), Kailash Devi, Tehsildar Nagrota, SDPO Nagrota and Tehsildars/Camp Commandants/ Zonal Officers of Relief Organization were also present on the occasion.
Relief Organization had arranged buses through JKRTC for carrying about 2500 Yatris to attend Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela held every year on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshta Ashtami, which is falling on 3rd June this year. The Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela is being organized as per tradition at Tulmulla (Ganderbal), Tikker (Kupwara), Devsar and Manzam (Kulgam) and Logripora (Anantnag).
The main congregation is being held at Tulmulla (Ganderbal). The District Administration Ramban had organized a brief halt for the Yatris at Chandarkot before the Yatra proceeded to Tulmulla and other destinations.
The necessary arrangements of accommodation, langar facility, essential services has been made by the concerned district administration in collaboration with the Relief Organization for the convenience of the pilgrims. The Yatra shall return back on June 4, 2025.
In the backdrop of terror attack in Pahalgam in April , security for the annual pilgrimage assumes utmost significance as the government does not want to take chance for any misadventure at the end of any subversive group. Even though Kashmiri Pandits residing in different parts of the country have been seen visiting their shrine on this occasion for many years, the numbers are likely to a drop this year for apparent reasons of fear in the minds of families.
However, J&K administration has made full arrangements for transportation of KPs from both Delhi and Jammu where majority of KPs reside. Arrangements for their stay in Shrine besides other requirements for at least three days have also been made by various organisations like every year.
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