Srinagar- Over 30,000 pilgrims from the Union Territory and other parts of mainland India arrived to participate in Jyeshtha Ashtami festival at Tulmulla in central Ganderbal, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday, extending his warm wishes to the Kashmiri Pandit community on the occasion.
The LG laid the foundation stone for Yatri Bhawan at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, Tulmulla, Ganderbal on Friday.
He paid obeisance to Mata Kheer Bhawani and prayed for peace, prosperity, happiness and well-being of one and all. He interacted with the devotees and extended his heartiest greetings on the auspicious occasion.
More than 200 buses carrying pilgrims from the UT’s Jammu region had travelled to Kashmir, according to the LG, to attend the special Pooja at the temple in Tulmulla Ganderbal, which is tucked away beneath huge Chinar trees.
Pilgrims from other parts of the country including Delhi, Sinha said, also flocked to Tulmulla to seek blessings of the mother goddess. The LG said district administration Ganderbal had made elaborate arrangements for pilgrims on the occasion.
“On this auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami festival, I would first want to extend my sincere greetings to the people of J&K, especially the Kashmiri Pandit community. I also want to express my sincere thanks to all of the society members for planning this mela successfully,” the LG told the media.
Sinha reiterated the commitment of the UT Administration to augment the facilities for the devotees of Mata Kheer Bhawani.
He said the Yatri Bhawan, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 3.85 crore, will enhance the pilgrimage experience by offering comforting lodging and sanitation facilities. We are expecting to complete the Bhawan in next 8 months and it will accommodate 1000 pilgrims, he added.
The LG also appreciated the efforts of the District Administration, Relief Commissioner’s Office, Police & Security Forces and all stakeholders for the smooth conduct of the Mela.
During his visit to the holy shrine at Tulmulla, Ganderbal, the LG also interacted with the members of Kashmiri Pandit Community and discussed various issues.
Nuzhat Ishfaq, DDC Chairperson Ganderbal; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department; Shyambir, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal; senior officials of the Civil and Police Administration and pilgrims in large numbers were present on the occasion.
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