Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, who is the Chairman of Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board (SSKSB), inaugurated the annual three day Shiv Khori Mela at Ransoo, base camp of holy cave, here today.MLA Ajay Nanda and District Development Commissioner (Vice Chairperson SSKSB), Reasi, Sushma Chauhan were also present on the occasion. The religious mela is being jointly organized by Tourism Department, Shiv Khori Shrine Board and District Administration, Reasi.Congratulating the people on the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner said that administration is taking steps to promote tourism in Reasi and adjoining areas by creating necessary infrastructure including speedy development of Shiv Khori and other heritage spots in the district to attract tourists. He stressed upon the need to develop Ransoo town in a planned manner to promote religious tourism so as to attract Vaishno Devi pilgrims to these spots as well.He appealed the people to ensure their overwhelming participation in this mega event which will also give them an opportunity to seek blessings of Lord Shiva at Shiv khori shrine. He also spoke on e-darshan of the AapShamboo at the shrine.
Earlier, the DDC during the welcome address said that District Administration has made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the mela as well as for comfortable stay of pilgrims at Ransoo. She also gave a detailed resume of various activities carried out in the shrine for its planned development. She added that the board is working on the development of helipad and huts at the shrine for the yatris. She said that the work on 9 Km Kanda-Ransoo roads is expected to be started soon. She informed that district administration is working on developing tourist circuit in order to attract more tourists to the district and appreciated the role of people for their coordination for the successful opening of the mela.On the inaugural function, a religious colorful procession was also taken out from Hotel New Tridev to Darshani Deodi besides presentation of a colorful cultural programme by Ramaloo Ram by the Information department Reasi.
Besides, artists of JKAACL Jammu, presented cultural programmes.Various departments have established their stalls in the mela for providing awareness to the unemployed educated youth for setting up their own income generating units. The experts of various departments also acquainted the youth with the policies and programmes being launched to overcome unemployment.A book titles “Shiv-stuti” of SSKSB was also launched by Divisional Commissioner.Later, the Div Com visited and paid obeisance at holy cave of Shiv khori. He inaugurated Bhojanalya and Dormitory at the holy cave.SSP Reasi, Sujit Kumar, ADC Reasi Shiv Kumar Gupta, Joint Director Tourism Jammu Namrata Dogra, EO SSKSB Mahesh Sharma, ARTO and senior officers of other departments, prominent people of the Ransoo town and thousands of devotees were also present on the occasion.