Ganderbal: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Sunday visited Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla area of Ganderbal district to conduct a thorough appraisal of the arrangements for the upcoming annual ‘Kheer Bhawani’ mela, which is set to be observed on June 3rd.
The Chief Secretary also paid obeisance at Kheer Bhawani temple, and subsequently inspected the facilities and identified any additional requirements to ensure a smooth and pleasant experience for the pilgrims. He emphasized the importance of close coordination among various departments to facilitate a seamless celebration of the festival, an official press release informed.
It said the Chief Secretary was assured that comprehensive arrangements have been made which include transportation, accommodation, power, water, sanitation, medical aid, and security measures to provide a hassle-free experience for the devotees.
Talking to media persons, the Chief Secretary said that all adequate arrangements are in place and it is expected a large number of devotees will come and attend the festival.
Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore, ADC Ganderbal, and other senior officers from Civil and police administration were present.
J&K Police chief Nalin Prabhat also visited the Kheer Bhawani temple to take stock of security arrangements for the upcoming fair there.
Kheer Bhawani mela will be held at five Ragnya Bhagwati shrines at Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam, Logripora in Anantnag and Tikkar in Kupwara on Tuesday.
Amid tight security arrangements, hundreds of people, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, left for the Valley in a convoy of 60 buses early Sunday from here to take part in the Kheer Bhawani mela, one of the biggest religious functions of the community.
The Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police was accompanied by senior police officials from the Ganderbal district during his visit to the temple. He also paid obeisance to Mata Ragnya Devi at the temple shrine.
All arrangements are in place for the security and lodging of pilgrims, officials said but added that fewer devotees have been turning up for the mela time compared to last year.
