Examiner Bureau | Ganderbal:
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday paid obeisance at the revered Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal, on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami, joining thousands of devotees who gathered for the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, one of the most significant religious events of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
The Lieutenant Governor offered prayers for peace, prosperity and the well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and sought the blessings of Goddess Ragnya Devi at the historic shrine.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the festival, Sinha stressed the importance of maintaining peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in the Union Territory.
“Everyone prayed that peace and harmony continue to prevail in Jammu and Kashmir and that Mata Kheer Bhawani’s blessings remain with all the people,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor also appreciated the efforts of various departments and agencies involved in facilitating the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage and ensuring the comfort and safety of devotees.
“I compliment all those who worked tirelessly to make excellent arrangements for the devotees visiting the shrine,” Sinha said.
He noted that devotees have been visiting the sacred shrine for generations to seek the blessings of the Goddess and participate in the annual festival, which attracts pilgrims from across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg extended greetings to devotees on the auspicious occasion and said comprehensive arrangements had been put in place at Kheer Bhawani shrines across the Valley.
Speaking during his visit to Tulmulla, Garg said celebrations were being held at several locations, including Mansgam, Devsar, Logripora and Tikkar, with the administration ensuring all necessary facilities for pilgrims.
He conveyed his best wishes to devotees who had arrived from Jammu and various parts of Kashmir and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to providing a safe and comfortable environment for the annual celebrations.
The Divisional Commissioner also expressed hope that Kashmir’s long-standing tradition of communal harmony, mutual respect and shared celebrations would continue to flourish.
Thousands of devotees attended the annual mela amid elaborate security arrangements and extensive logistical support by the administration, reaffirming the festival’s enduring spiritual and cultural significance in the Valley.
