Kheerbhawani panel demands security to pilgrimage on pattern

In view of the unrest in Kashmir, a panel formed to co-ordinate the famous pilgrimage to the 'Mata Kheerbhawani' shrine has demanded security similar to the arrangements made for the Amarnath yatra.
The panel comprising eminent persons and civil society activists had been setup this year to ensure smooth and secure yatra.
"We demand that government should facilitate yatra on the pattern of the annual Amarnath yatra. The cavalcade of vehicles should be provided security escorts in view of the security situation in Kashmir",said Kiran Watal, convener of the Kheerbhawani Mela committee.
The panel would facilitate andcoordinate the pilgrimage from Jammu to Kheerbhawani (Tulmul) in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir.

We appeal to the Kashmiri pandits and people of Jammu to take part in the Kheerbhawani mela in large numbers and also pay obeisance at Manzgam and Tikir, Watal, a former bureaucrat, said.
In the wake of the fear of the increasing militancy and violent unrest, there are apprehensions of a fall in the number of the pilgrims.

A delegation of representatives of Kheer Bhawani Mela committee led by Watal met on senior officials including Divisional Commissioner Dr Mandeep K Bhandari and discussed measures for facilitating the pilgrimage.
In 2016, roughly 40,000 people took part in the pilgrimage while 30,000 people in 2015 and about 60,000 in 2014, visited the temple.

The shrine is called 'Kheer Bhawani' as devotees offer milk and'kheer' to the deity known as Ragnya Devi.
The fair held at this annual festival is a symbol of centuries-old communal harmony and brotherhood as local Muslims make allarrangements for devotees and even set up stalls selling flowers and other material for the devotees to offer at the temple.