GANDERBAL: The Annual Mela Kheer Bhawani, the most important festival of Kashmiri Pandits, was today celebrated on the occasion of Zyestha Ashtami where thousands of devotees offered pooja and paid obeisance in the district Ganderbal.
Tullamulla shrine in addition to being the holiest shrine of the local Kashmiri Pandit community is also the symbol of centuries-old culture and brotherhood among different communities of Kashmir.
Advisor to Lieutuenant Governor, R.R Bhatnagar, Chief Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta, Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Shyambir and other dignitaries attended the annual Kheer Bhawani mela and paid obeisance at Mata Kheer Bhawani temple.
The Tulmulla area of district Ganderbal witnessed enthusiastic scenes as a large number of devotees arrived here who paid obeisance and prayed for themselves and the entire humanity.
Mostly Kashmiri Pandits were seen performing the rituals of the festival at the temple besides that Muslims were seen greeting pandits and making arrangements.
Earlier of the day, the Deputy Commissioner inspected the arrangements and enquired about the facilities being provided to the devotees.
Pertinently, the District Administration had made necessary arrangements for uninterrupted power and drinking water supplies, transport, security, fire tenders, ration, bedding, medical camps, and medical facilities at the temple besides free transport facility was also made for the devotees on various routes.