JAMMU: The annual Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra 2026 commenced on Saturday with the ceremonial flagging off of hundreds of pilgrims bound for the shrine of Mata Ragnya Devi Temple and other traditional pilgrimage destinations across Kashmir.
A total of 214 buses carrying around 8,500 pilgrims were flagged off from Nagrota towards various shrine locations in the Valley as part of the annual observance of Jyeshtha Ashtami.
The Yatra was flagged off by Devyani Rana at Toll Post Nagrota in the presence of Shridhar Patil, Arvind Karwani, Additional Commissioner Jammu Sham Lal and senior civil and police officers.
Officials said this year’s pilgrimage has witnessed a significant increase in registrations, making it one of the largest Kheer Bhawani yatras in recent years. The rise in participation has been attributed to the prevailing peaceful atmosphere, strengthened security arrangements and extensive facilities put in place for devotees.
To ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, senior and nodal officers of the Relief and Rehabilitation Organisation have been deployed at major pilgrimage centres, including Mata Ragnya Devi Temple, Tikker Shrine, Devsar-Manzgam Shrine and Logripora Shrine, to oversee arrangements and coordinate with concerned departments.
The annual mela is being observed at these traditional pilgrimage centres, with the main congregation taking place at the Mata Ragnya Devi shrine in Tulmulla, Ganderbal.
The Yatra will conclude on June 22, coinciding with Jyeshtha Ashtami, when thousands of devotees are expected to offer prayers at various shrine locations across Kashmir.
Officials said the pilgrimage has been facilitated through coordinated efforts of the Relief and Rehabilitation Organisation, district administrations, security agencies and other stakeholder departments across Jammu and Kashmir. The administration also extended greetings to devotees travelling independently to the shrine and other pilgrimage destinations in the Valley.
