Kashmiri Pandits leave for annual Kheer Bhawani Mela

A large number of Kashmiri Pandits today left for Kashmir valley to take part in the annual 'Kheer Bhawani Mela' in the Tulmula area of Ganderbal district.
The state government had arranged 47 buses of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) to carry the pilgrims from Jammu to attend the festival. A large number of private buses and small vehicles were also used.
The shrine of the Hindu goddess, Mata Ragyna was built by erstwhile Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir.
"It is an annual feature that a Mela is held at Kheer Bhawani in which a large number of Kashmiri Pandits participate," Dina Nath Bhat, a Kashmiri Pandit said.

He said that during this time, a large number of Kashmiri Pandits settled in various parts of the country and abroad participate in the festival.
The Minister of State for Finance and Information Technology, Pawan Kumar Gupta in presence of Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary flagged off the yatra from Udhampur, this morning.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister congratulated the yatris and wished that the festival will usher an era of peace, prosperity and success in the state.
The District Administration Udhampur and Zonal Officer Migrants, Relief Zone Udhampur have made adequate arrangements of food, drinking water, medicare, bus service etc for the convenience of the yatris.