In order to promote religious tourism at the Shiv Khori shrine, curtain raising ceremony of Shiv Khori Mela 2016 was held at Shiv Shakti Bhawan, Ransoo today.On the occasion, District Development Commissioner Reasi Sushma Chauhan, who is also the Vice Chairperson SSKSB, apprised about the events lined for the three day mela commencing from March 6th she also highlighted the various developmental activities carried out at the shrine for the convenience of the devotees.DDC informed that every year lakhs of pilgrims visit the shrine during the festival. This year the festival will be inaugurated at 11 am on March 06, with religious ‘jhankis’ and processions. The Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board is making efforts to make the festival even more popular and also provide the devotees with maximum facilities, she added. She further said that CCTV cameras have been installed near the cave and langar would also be organized for the yatris at Ransoo near the shrine.DDC also informed that the District Administration has made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the mela such as sanitation, un-interrupted power supply, drinking water, medicare facilities, security, transport, accommodation, barricading, parking etc. DDC said that the employment fair and cultural programmes would be organized on the 1st day, performance of artists of Natrang on 2nd and on the concluding day, Dangal would be organized.
The DDC also performed Special Puja at the holy cave of Shiv Khori Shrine. She also inspected the newly constructed bus stand, toilet complex at bus stand, construction works of Shiv Shakti Bhawan and various developmental works along the track to the shrine.Earlier, Executive Officer SSKSB, Mahesh Sharma gave a detailed resume of the developmental activities undertaken by the Board such as construction of new bus stand at Ransoo, Bhojanalya at Ransoo and ShivKhori, bedding facilities for pilgrims, installation of CCTV cameras, and music system at the track, installation of railings at Vulnerable points, widening of Ransoo Bazaar, furnishing of Shiv Shakti Bhawan, control room near Shivam Dawar, construction of two Yatra registration and two verification counter, construction of Structure for Shani Mandir, installation of solar plant & battery bank at Shiv Shakti bhawan, maintenance of Kanda-Ransoo road, construction of toilet complexes at Bus stand and near cave, SRTC bus services etc.DGM JKPCC Pankaj Sahni, ARTO Mamta Rajput, Tehsildar Pouni Munshi Ram, NT Ransoo, senior officers of various departments media persons and people in large number were present on the occasion.