Amid heightened security, Mela Kheer Bhawani today began at Tulmulla area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Hundreds of devotees especially Kashmiri Pandits have gathered at the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple to pay obeisance at the temple.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made with deployment of Army, paramilitary forces and J&K Police in view of the recent string of terrorist attacks.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said over 30,000 devotees paid obeisance at Mela Kheer Bhawani while as a Yatri Niwas to accommodate 1000 pilgrims will be completed next eight months in the district.
Talking to reporters, after paying obeisance at the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmulla, LG Sinha said that over 30,000 devotees visited the Temple this time. “The devotees were ferried in over 200 buses from Jammu”, he said.
The LG said that administration, relief trust and the locals of the area had ensured best possible facilities to facilitate devotees at the Temple. “Last year, when I came here, pilgrims requested for a Yatri Niwas. I spoke to officials concerned and the Yatri Niwas that will accommodate 1000 pilgrims will come up in the next eight months,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Atal Dullo also paid obeisance at the shrine and sought blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani.
