Mata Ragyana
Expecting a massive rush of pilgrims for the annual Mela Khir Bhawani at Tulamulla village in Ganderbal district tomorrow, the Government has made elaborate arrangements for the comfort of thousands of Kashmiri Pandits coming from various parts of the country, especially migrants living in Jammu and New Delhi.
"We are expecting 40,000 to 50, 000 pilgrims tomorrow and we have made all arrangements regarding transport, healthcare, power supply, accommodation and other amenities for them," District Development Commissioner Ganderbal Abdul Majid Khanday told EXCELSIOR.
He said State Road Transportation Corporation (SRTC) will provide buses from Srinagar to the shrine at Tulamulla, located around 27 kilometers east of the city, and pilgrims have already started coming from Jammu. Khanday also said that arrangements for additional SRTC buses have been made in case the pilgrims exceed the expected numbers.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Masaud Samoon had convened a meeting of senior officers of the divisional administration and representatives of the Dharmarth Trust of Khir Bhawani on May 20 to finalize the arrangements of the mela.
Authorities will set up medical camps at Pandach, Zazna and Rampore crossing to provide medical facilities to the devotees and Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) will keep available 20-bed disaster ward and ambulance facilities, in case of any emergency.
Samoon had directed the irrigation and flood control department to immediately take up the de-silting and improvement of Khir Bhawani Nalla and had also asked the PHE authorities to ensure adequate drinking water facilities by installing three tankers and keeping sufficient water tanks available in the premises.
Accommodation for the pilgrims will be allotted on first cum first serve basis and the concerned officials had been directed to make functional all 65 sanitary units including 17 bath rooms for ladies besides the puja and dining hall.
In case of heavy rush of pilgrims, schools and other institutions have been kept ready which could be utilized by the devotees. Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department has also been directed to keep sufficient quantity of essentials available.
The shrine of Mata Khir Bhawani is noted for a unique holy spring as its water is believed to change its colour to black if something unpleasant is going to happen. Devotees believe that the idol of goddess Bhawani was brought to Tulamulla by Lord Hanuman from Lanka after the legendary battle in Ramayana.
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