Ganderbal: Thousands of devotees from Jammu and Kashmir and various parts of the country on Monday gathered at the revered Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal, to participate in the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, celebrated on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami.
Devotees began arriving at the shrine from the early hours of the day to offer prayers and seek blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani. The temple complex witnessed a large turnout amid an atmosphere of devotion and spiritual fervour.
Speaking on the occasion a devotee, Ashish Nand Bhatt, expressed pride in his Kashmiri heritage and said his ancestors had served as priests at the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine. He said he had come to seek the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani and pray for peace and prosperity.
Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore, said the annual mela holds immense religious significance and is observed every year at the historic Tulmulla shrine. He said the district administration had made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the smooth conduct of the event.
“On behalf of the district administration and the people of Ganderbal, we welcome all devotees. Every effort has been made to ensure a comfortable, safe and spiritually fulfilling experience for the pilgrims,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, extended greetings to devotees on the occasion and expressed hope that the festival would promote peace, harmony, spiritual strength and communal brotherhood.
Authorities had put in place comprehensive security, traffic regulation, healthcare, sanitation and other essential services to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the annual festival—(KNO)