Jammu, 20 June (H.S.): More than 9,000 pilgrims, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, departed from Jammu for the famed Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir on Saturday.
With pilgrim participation significantly higher this year, officials anticipate a substantial turnout at the Kheer Bhawani Mela, one of the most important religious events for the Kashmiri Pandit community.
The pilgrims left for the valley in 200 J&K Road Transport Corporation buses, amid elaborate security arrangements, the officials said.
The convoy was jointly flagged off by BJP MLA from Nagrota Devyani Rana, Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Arvind Karwani and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jammu-Kathua-Samba Range, Shridhar Patil.
The Kheer Bhawani Mela will be held at five Ragnya Bhagwati shrines at Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Manzgam and Devsar in Kulgam district, and Logripora in Anantnag district of south Kashmir and Tikkar in northern Kashmir's Kupwara district on June 22.
Among these temples, the Tulmulla temple nestled in the shade of mammoth Chinar trees witnesses massive gatherings, with devotees from across the world visiting the shrine.
After 'darshan' at the temples on Monday, the pilgrims will return to Jammu a day later.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar
