Srinagar, May 27: Divisional Commissioner on Saturday said that fool proof arrangements are in place for smooth conduct of the annual festival (Mela) that will be celebrated with religious fervour on Sunday in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri told Rising Kashmir that adequate arrangements are in place for devotees at Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla Ganderbal.
Responding to a question about a protest of Kashmiri Pandit devotees regarding inadequate facilities at Kheer Bhawani Temple, Divisional Commissioner Bidhuri said there are some people who are spreading propaganda, and adequate arrangements have been made for the devotees.
“From accommodation to food and other facilities for devotees, all things have been finalized. Some people are spreading propaganda but people should not pay any heed to rumours,” he said.
Div Com Kashmir Bidhuri said necessary instructions have been given to the District Administration and representatives of Dharmarth Trust for further augmenting the arrangements, he said.
He also appealed to the devotees to take full benefit of the bus service being provided by the administration for their convenience. Div Com also complemented the locals for making arrangements for the devotees which is the best example of communal harmony and mutual brotherhood.
“Over 4000 devotees reached Kashmir and more pilgrims are expected on Sunday morning,” he said.
Earlier on Saturday late afternoon, a group of Kashmiri Pandit devotees held a protest in Tulmulla, alleging inadequate facilities for the pilgrims at the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela.
Mohan Koul, who reached Tulmulla on Saturday alleged that they faced a lot of problems due to inadequate facilities. There are no arrangements for pilgrims and we were bundled inside a room during night, he said.
“It is unfortunate that devotees are compelled to protest on this auspicious occasion. We appeal LG administration to review their arrangements again,” Koul added.
The devotees, including women and children, raised slogans against the administration.
Sunita Pandita, who had come from Pune to participate in Kheer Bhawani Mela said there were no arrangements for pilgrims and they were forced to stay in the open sky.
“There were no adequate facilities for the pilgrims. There is no drinking water, no water in the toilets. No arrangements on Srinagar Jammu highway like the administration is doing at the time of Amarnath Yatra,” she said.
Deputy commissioner, Ganderbal, Shyambir told Rising Kashmir that adequate arrangements are in place in Tulmulla. We had arranged everything for the devotees including accommodation, food and other facilities, he said.
“The administration has made elaborate arrangements for the comfortable and safe stay of the devotees,” DC Ganderbal said.
On Friday, nearly 4,000 Kashmiri Pandits left Jammu in a fleet of government arranged buses to pay obeisance at the revered Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal district.The fleet was flagged off by Divisional Commissioner Jammu.
An official said that out of total fleet, 95 buses left for Tulmulla in Ganderbal, 23 for Tikker in Kupwara, three for Manzgam in Kulgam, two buses for Logripora in Anantnag and two buses for Martand in Anantnag.
“We provided them with packed refreshments, so that they will not face any problems while travelling to the Valley. The devotees were also provided lunch at Ramban Jammu,” he said.
The devotees will visit the prominent temples in Kashmir and on Sunday they will celebrate annual Jyestha Ashtami at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmulla.
