The annual Ashtadash Bhuja Mata Sarthal Devi Ji Yatra began with great religious fervour and gaiety here this morning.A hawan at Gori Shankar Mandir, Sarkoot marked the start of the yatra with a large number of devotees taking part in the rituals.Later, an impressive Shoba yatra accompanied the Chari Mubarak which was taken from Gori Shankar Mandir and passed through Chowgan ground, Shahidi Chowk and Bus stand from where the devotees boarded Buses and other vehicles and left for the historic Sarthal Devi Temple. Tomorrow morning a MahaYajna will be performed at Sarthal Devi Mandir.The religious procession was led by Vice Chairman and members of the Shri Sarthal Devi Management Council.Thousands of devotees including men, women and children were seen chanting religious slogans and bhajans along with several bhajan mandalis and traditional drum beatings through the yatra route. The locals of various localities accorded warm welcome to Chari Mubarak and Prashad and Sharbats to the participants.District administration along with police have made all the necessary arrangements for Security, drinking water, power supply, transport and other facilities at Sarthal and Kishtwar.Pertinently, Sarthal Devi Ji is revered as “Kul Devi’ of the area and the historic yatra is organized every year for last over a century.