JAMMU: As part of its annual calendar of events, Tourism Department organised Mela Bahu Fort on the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri.
The historic Bahu Fort, home to the revered Bawe Wali Mata Temple, came alive with vibrant hues of devotion and cultural splendour, drawing an overwhelming gathering of devotees, artists, and visitors to celebrate the region’s rich spiritual and cultural legacy.
Minister for FCS & CA, Transport Youth, Services and Sports, Satish Sharma was the Chief Guest on the event where as MLA Bahu, Vikram Randhawa, Director Tourism, Jammu Vikas Gupta, Joint Director Tourism, Aijaz Qaiser and others officers of concerned departments, Rajeev Charak, President of the Bahu Fort Development Committee and other stakeholders were also present during the event.
While speaking on the occasion, Satish Sharma extended heartfelt Navratri greetings to the people of Jammu & Kashmir and prayed for lasting peace, harmony, and prosperity in the region. He lauded the dedicated efforts of the Tourism Department in creating meaningful platforms that not only showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage but also elevate pilgrimage tourism as a cornerstone of J&K’s tourism profile.
The Minister asserted that promoting J&K tourism, especially religious, adventure, winter sports and waterways, is one of the government’s top agendas.
He further emphasized the importance of preserving sacred sites like Bawe Wali Mata Temple, which continue to serve as enduring symbols of collective faith and shared heritage.
The Minister commended the department for its steadfast commitment to celebrating local traditions. He described the Bawe Wali Mata Temple and Bahu Fort as timeless icons of the Dogra community’s spiritual devotion and cultural pride, noting that such festivals deepen the intrinsic bond between the people and their heritage.
The event featured soulful devotional performances by acclaimed artists from the Information Department and Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL). Their music and dance, steeped in bhakti rasa, added spiritual richness to the celebrations.
A total of 21 students from Government Higher Secondary School, Bahu, enthusiastically participated across junior and senior categories, presenting performances that reflected the spirit of Navratri. The winners were presented with mementoes and certificates of appreciation.
