STATE TIMES NEWS
REASI: The three-day historic Aghar Jitto Mela held every year in remembrance of Baba Jitto Mal would
commence at Aghar Jitto from 1st June.
This was disclosed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Reasi-Shiv Kumar Gupta during a meeting of officers and local committee members, adding that the district administration is also working to attract more tourists from Katra, the Base Camp of Shri Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine to such locations.
The three day Mela is organised every year on the auspicious occasion of Jeshtha Purnima at Aghar Jitto (birth place of Baba Jitto) and devotees irrespective of caste, creed or colour, from all walks and all parts of country visit this holy place throughout the year but heavy rush of devotees visit this shrine during these Mela days.
As a ritual, the devotees of Baba Jitto perform the ‘Rote Ceremony’ on the bank of river Chenab near Dera Baba area by giving Rote to the river Chenab a day before the start of Mela.
Discussions were held regarding security, drinking water, un-interrupted power supply, adequate provision of essential commodities, sanitation, fire services and transport arrangements.
ADC directed the Health Department to ensure availability of team of doctors with ambulance and required medicines round the clock during the Mela days. Similarly, Rural Development Department Reasi was asked to erect separate temporary toilets and bathrooms for males and females at the site of Mela for convenience of pilgrims. Besides, adequate deployment of security personal enroute and around Mela site would be made by District Police.
Awareness stalls of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Employment and other allied Departments would also be installed at the venue during the Mela.
The Tourism Department was asked to ensure publicity of Mela through flex banners at different places, print and electronic media well in advance so that more and more tourists are diverted to Aghar Jitto during Mela days.
ACD Reasi-Suram Chand Sharma, Additional Superintendent of Police, Reasi-Sanjay Singh Rana, ExEn PDD, AEE PHE, Chief Agriculture Officer, Chief Horticulture Officer, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Tehsildars, other district and sectoral officers, members of the Aghar Jitto Mela Committee, Rakesh Wazir and President Hotel Association Katra- Sham Lal Kesar attended the meeting.
