The three-day-long annual Shiv Khori Mela commenced today in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir amid fanfare and religious fervour.
The fair was inaugurated by Housing, Horticulture and Culture minister Raman Bhalla at Ransoo which serves as the base camp for a visit to the holy cave shrine of Shiv Khori, some 130-km from here.
The mela is being jointly organised by the State Tourism Department, the Shiv Khori Shrine Board and the Reasi district administration.
The minister said the state government had formulated a plan for development of Shiv Khori and adjoining areas.
He said a tourist circuit connecting various destinations was being planned to divert the pilgrimage rush from Vaishno Devi shrine to other tourist spots in the state.
