JNM | Journalist Hardeep Jamwal | Jammu
There is tremendous enthusiasm among devotees for the annual fair of Shri Mata Kheer Bhawani, the revered goddess of Kashmir. On Sunday, over 9,000 migrant Kashmiri Pandits departed from Jammu aboard 200 buses for the sacred Shri Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal district. The Relief and Rehabilitation Department has made all arrangements for travel, food, and accommodation for the pilgrims free of charge.
Under the supervision of Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Dr. Arvind Karwani, the buses departed from the Jagti Migrant Camp on Saturday morning after providing breakfast to the pilgrims. Lunch has also been arranged in Ramban during the journey.
More than 100 pilgrims are also joining the pilgrimage from Delhi in three specially arranged buses of the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC). Given the growing enthusiasm of devotees, a record number of people are expected to attend the fair this year.
Last year, due to security concerns and the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the number of devotees had dropped to around 3,000. However, this year, due to improved security arrangements and facilities, this number has almost tripled to over 9,000.
After arriving in Ganderbal, accommodation for devotees has been arranged in the Central University campus, waterproof tents, and newly constructed pilgrim hostels. More than 20,000 devotees from across the country are expected to attend the main puja held at the temple complex on June 21.
During the fair, devotees will also be taken to other holy shrines of Mata Kheer Bhawani located in the valley. These include Tikar in Kupwara, Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam, and the Logripora temple in Anantnag district.
The Mata Kheer Bhawani temples in Janipur and Jagti in Jammu have also been lavishly decorated. The administration has made special arrangements for security, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, and other essential amenities.
Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Dr. Arvind Karwani stated that the convenience and safety of pilgrims is the administration’s top priority, and no fee will be charged from any pilgrim during the pilgrimage.
The participation of thousands of pilgrims in this grand festival of faith, devotion, and cultural heritage is once again showcasing Kashmir’s cultural identity and religious harmony.
