J&K governor N N Vohra visited Mata Kheer Bhawani shrine at Tulmulla, Ganderbal and prayed for peace and well-being of people. He extended his greetings to the people, particularly Kashmiri Pandits, on the occasion of ‘Jyestha Ashtami’.
BB Vyas, chief secretary; Baseer Ahmed Khan, divisional commissioner, Kashmir; Tariq Hussain Ganai, deputy commissioner Ganderbal; Fayaz Ahmad Lone, senior superintendent of police Ganderbal, representatives of Dharmarth Trust and several members of Kashmiri Pandit community received the governor on his arrival at the shrine.
“The governor discussed with chief secretary and other officers the arrangements made by the district administration and the Dharmarth Trust for the comfortable stay of the pilgrims as well as traffic management, accommodation and sanitation facilities. He asked the divisional commissioner (Kashmir) to direct the timely repair of the entire road stretch from Zakura to the shrine and from Ganderbal town to Kangan and beyond, and ensure timely completion of the now very long pending project to establish an STP at the shrine,” a Raj Bhawan spokesman said.
Kheer Bhawani Holiday On Friday
Meanwhile, an official spokesman said the holiday on account of Mela Kheer Bhawani would be observed on June 2 instead of June 1 in Kashmir division.
“In partial modification of government order No: 1345-GAD of 2016 dated December 09, 2016, the holiday on account of Mela Kheer Bhawani shall be observed on 2 June, 2017 (Friday), instead of 1 June, 2017 (Thursday) in the government offices and educational institutions of Kashmir province,” the spokesman said.
Minister, Advisor To CM Visit Kheer Bhawani Shrine
Minister for Revenue, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, AbduR Rehman Veeri on Wednesday visited Kheer Bhawani and took stock arrangements made for smooth conduct of ‘Mela’.
The minister was accompanied by DDC Ganderbal Tariq Ahmad Ganie, SSP Ganderbal Fayaz Ahmad Lone and other concerned officers. He stressed upon officers to work with missionary spirit and proper coordination so that all possible facilities are made available to the devotees during the Mela days at the temple.
Deputy chief minister Dr Nirmal Singh directed the officers to synergize their efforts to ensure smooth conduct of ensuing Kheer Bhawani Mela, maintaining that it is one of the most important religious festivals of Kashmiri Pandits.
Singh said such festive occasions exhibit brotherhood and communal harmony among people of Kashmir and provide an opportunity to bridge the gap among different geographic regions of the State. He said the State is known for its pluralistic character and mutual brotherhood among different sections of the society.
Minister of Public Works Naeem Akhtar also visited Kheer Bhawani shrine at Tullamulla to take stock of arrangements being made for the annual Mela.
The Minister reviewed various facilities made for the pilgrims and also interacted with the visiting Pandits. He appealed to Pandits to visit the shrine to revive the age-old brotherhood. He said local Muslims are waiting to welcome their brothers in Tullamulla.
The minister said to participate in the mela, Pandits arrive from not only Jammu but from other states too. He expressed his concern over the “rumours” floated by certain sections that situation is not conducive in Kashmir. He said Kashmir is 100 percent safe and people not need to pay any heed to rumours. He said the government and locals are at the forefront of welcoming the people and all facilities are being provided for their safe and pleasant journey. He appealed the people to continue with the traditions to visit Tullamulla.
The advisor to chief minister, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, visited the historic Kheer Bhawani shrine to oversee the arrangements being put in place for the smooth conduct of the annual mela. He was accompanied by VC, JKPCC Khalid Jehangir, MD JKPCC, Dhilip Thusoo, senior leader Shahnawaz Choudhary and other senior officers.
While directing the officers to ensure that the devotees coming to pay their obeisance are provided with the necessary requisite facilities, the advisor said that a foolproof mechanism should be put in place to ensure smooth conduct of this mela.
