jj correspondent
Jammu: Amid tight security arrangements, religious fervour and chanting of religious 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.
J&K Police Chief visits Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Ganderbal ahead of festival
Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Nalin Prabhat on Sunday visited the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal to take stock of security arrangements for the upcoming fair there.
Kheer Bhawani mela will be held at five Ragnya Bhagwati shrines at Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam, Logripora in Anantnag and Tikkar in Kupwara on Tuesday.
Amid tight security arrangements, hundreds of people, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, left for the Valley in a convoy of 60 buses early Sunday from here to take part in the Kheer Bhawani mela, one of the biggest religious functions of the community.
The director general of Jammu and Kashmir Police was accompanied by senior police officials from the Ganderbal district during his visit to the temple. He also paid obeisance to Mata Ragnya Devi at the temple shrine.
All arrangements are in place for the security and lodging of pilgrims, officials said but added that fewer devotees have been turning up for the mela time time compared to last year.
IGP Jammu flags off Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra-2025 to Kashmir
