Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, along with Additional Director General of Police Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh on Monday inaugurated the week long annual Jhiri Mela amid huge rush of devotees.
District Development Council Chairman, Bharat Bushan; DDC Member Marh, Balbir Chand; BDC Chairman Marh, Surinder Bhagat; Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Avny Lavasa; DIG, Vivek Gupta; SSP Jammu, Chandan Kohli; local Sarpanches were also present at the inaugural ceremony.
With elaborate arrangements put in place, the administration is anticipating a huge rush of devotees as this year the annual Jhiri Mela is being organized at a full scale after a gap of two years of Covid-19 pandemic.
The Jhiri mela (fair) is celebrated/ organised every year in the memory of the martyrdom of 'Baba Jittoo', a farmer saint, who gave up his life about 500 years ago in protest against the oppressive demands of a landlord.
The Div Com welcomed the devotees who have thronged the shrine of Baba Jitto and his daughter 'Bua Kodi'.After paying obeisance at the Baba Jitto and Bua Kori Devsthan, the Div Com along with other dignitaries, inaugurated a laser show and exhibitions organised by different departments.
A traditional Dangal competition organised by the Mela Management Committee witnessing the participation of professional wrestlers hailing from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and several parts of Jammu and Kashmir was one of the major attractions of the day.
The Div Com lauded the efforts put in by the Jhiri Mela Management Committee and the district administration for making elaborate arrangements for the successful conduct of Jhiri Mela.Speaking on the occasion, the Div Com remembered the Supreme sacrifice of Baba Jitto.
He said “The supreme sacrifice made by Baba Jitto is exemplary for each of us to emulate in our fight against injustice.”Meanwhile, Div Com alongwith other dignitaries took a round of department stalls and inspected the facilities for devotees and farmers.