The 15th annual Maha Shivratri-cum-Rural awareness Mela was organized today at Khoon village of Majalta with huge congregation assembling in the spiritual ambience of Khooneshwar Aap Sambu Temple.The Mela was organized by Destitute and Handicapped Welfare Association (DAHWA) in collaboration with district administration Udhampur, Information department and Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL).The participants, in thousands, paid obeisance at the ancient temple to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.Naib Tehsildar Deot Majalta, Kasturi lal Sharma, inaugurated the mela and said that such events will promote religious tourism and boost the economy of the area.Lauding the enthusiasm among the participants in the annual feature, Chairman of DAHWA and founder of Mela, Surat Singh Sumbria, said the holding of Mela aims at generating awareness among the rural masses about the governmental schemes meant for their socio-economic emancipation.Sumbria expressed gratitude to Deputy Commissioner Udhampur for extending cooperation in making the festival a real success. He urged upon the government for further improving facilities for attracting more devotees and tourists.
Greeting the people, the officers present on the occasion, appreciated the efforts of DAHWA for organizing this annual festival and said such events help in generating awareness and seeking involvement of village community in various initiatives of the government for their welfare.Various government departments including Health, Agriculture, District Industries & Commerce (DIC), Horticulture, Sericulture, Rural Development, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, established their stalls which aimed at creating awareness about government schemes among rural people. They also distributed literature on schemes of their respective departments.District Administration had made elaborate arrangements like Sanitation, Electricity, Water, Security, Medicines, etc.On the occasion, a scintillating cultural programmes like folk music, folk dances and Dogri Songs was presented by the Information Department Udhampur, artists of JKAACL Jammu besides local artists based on Shiv Parvati theme Bhajans devoted to Lord Shiva.Among others, Deputy Secretary, J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Dr.Rattan Basotra, Block Development Officer, Khoon Rajinder Kumar, Senior officers of the district, Sarpanchs, Panchs, prominent citizens and large number of devotees were also present on the occasion.