Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra flagged off from Jammu amid tight security arrangements

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Amid tight security arrangements, religious fervour and chanting of religious hymns and slogans by the devotees, the annual Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra was on Sunday 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 June 3 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.
Shruti Dhar, an elderly devotee, said: “I am a regular visitor to Kheer Bhawani and have no fear of going there this time around. We have been witnessing such situations from our childhood days. Whatever happened in Pahalgam is highly condemnable and barbaric.”
Dhar, who had migrated from Sanat Nagar in Srinagar to Jammu, said she is happy to join the caravan and offer her prayers at the temple to seek blessings and pray for the prosperity of J&K, the country and the return of Pandits to the Valley.
Saroj, a non-Kashmiri married to a Kashmiri Pandit, said this was her first visit to the Valley and there is no fear in her mind.
“Kashmir is part of India and the (Pahalgam) attack was possibly an attempt by the terrorists to frighten us. We have to defeat their designs and visit the place in good numbers,” she said.
Delhi-based Raj Kumar, also a member of the displaced community, said the government should be more alert to prevent Pahalgam type of incidents.
Sarla Bhat said she is happy to visit her birthplace in Kashmir. “I have full faith in Mata that we will complete the pilgrimage without any trouble.”