Ganderbal, Jun 02 (KNO): On the eve of Mata Kheer Bhawani mela, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri has said that the J&K has the “ashirwaad” (blessings) of “Mata Rani” and everything good will happen.
Div Com Bidhuri on Monday, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) visited revered Kheer Bhawani shrine at Tulmulla in Ganderbal district to review the arrangements for the annual mela slated to be held on Tuesday.
While talking to the reporters, the Divisional Commissioner said, “The colour of the water is clear. It’s an indication given by Mata Rani that good things will happen in the coming days.”
Asked whether the number of pilgrims has declined this year the Divisional Commissioner said, “Whoever Mata Rani wants to come will come. Attending Mela Kheer Bhawani is a matter of faith.”
Pertinently, the Kheer Bhawani Mela is a prominent annual festival for Kashmiri Pandits. The mela is celebrated on Zyeshta Ashtami (the eighth day of the full moon in the month of May or June) and takes place at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla village. The temple is located in the middle of a natural spring and devotees offer milk and kheer (a rice pudding) to the Mata Rani.
During the visit, Divisional Commissioner Bidhuri inspected the facilities and took stock of the preparations made by the district administration and various departments to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. He directed the concerned officers to put in place adequate measures for security, traffic regulation, water and power supply, sanitation, and healthcare services to facilitate the pilgrims—(KNO)