A large number of pilgrims, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, embarked on the Kheer Bhawani Yatra Annual Yatra, amid tight security arrangements, police said on Wednesday.
The four-day pilgrimage was flagged off today from the Nagrota areaby Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, Relief Commissioner Dr Arvind Karwani and other officers of the divisional administration.
A large number of Kashmiri Pandit pilgrims have registered for this year’s Kheer Bhawani mela. The administration has arranged nearly 200 buses for the pilgrims, with destinations including Ganderbal (135 buses), Tikar Kupwara, Manzgam, Devsar, and Lagipura in Anantnag.
Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Arvind Kirwani while speaking to ANI said, “This yatra is flagging off from here, today… The arrangement of transportation has been made by us… The pilgrims will take a halt for some time. We have arranged a ‘langar’ for them… We arranged 200 vehicles for the pilgrims.”
“I am going for the Darshan of Mata Kheer Bhawani. We are very much excited this time. We used to go early as well in our private vehicles but this time we are going in the bus with pilgrims and the journey has become much more exciting,” said a Aarushi Tikoo.
Regarding the security arrangements, Tikoo expressed her satisfaction and thanked the authorities for their efforts.
Kashmiri Pandits are excited to return to their religious places since their exodus in 1990 due to terrorism. They have been visiting Kheer Bhawani every year on Zyesht Ashtami, when a big mela is held.
The administration has made adequate security arrangements and is providing Langar (community meal) services. Given the three recent terror attacks in the Jammu region, security for the yatra is very high.
Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Arvind Kirwani stated, “The yatra is flagging off today. We have arranged transportation and a ‘langar’ for the pilgrims, with 200 vehicles ready for their journey.”
The pilgrims will take a brief halt before continuing to their destinations, where they will participate in the annual mela and religious activities. (ANI)
