Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, who is also the Chairman of Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board (SSKSB), today inaugurated the Annual Three Day Maha Shivratri Mela at Ransoo, base camp of holy Shiv Khori Shrine.
District Development Commissioner (Vice Chairperson SSKSB), Reasi, Babila Rakwal was also present on the occasion. The 3 day Shivratri Mela is being jointly organised by Tourism Department, Shiv Khori Shrine Board and District Administration, Reasi.
Speaking on the occasion, the Div Com underlined the need to develop Ransoo town in a planned manner to promote religious tourists visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
He batted form adequate facilities for comfortable stay of devotees and tourists. He appealed the people to ensure their overwhelming participation in this mega Festival which will also give them an opportunity to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
He also spoke about e-darshan of the Aap Shamboo at the Shrine. Earlier, Babila Rakwal, in her 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 works completed in the shrine for its planned development. She added that the board is working on the development of the helipad and huts at the shrine for the Yatris.
She further informed that the district administration is working on developing the 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.
At the inaugural function, a religious procession was also taken out from Hotel New Tridev to Darshani Deodi besides presentation of colorful cultural programmes. Artists of J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages presented a colorful cultural program.
Various departments have established their stalls in the mela to impart awareness to the people about employment schemes under different sectors. The experts of the departments acquainted the youth about the policies and programmes launched to overcome the problem of unemployment.
The Deputy Director Tourism welcomed the Chief guest and presented bouquets to all dignitaries and later on presented a vote of thanks. Later, the Div Com paid obeisance at the holy cave of Shiv Khori and prayed for peace, prosperity and development in the UT.
SSP, Reasi Amit Gupta; ADC, Abdul Star; Dy Director Tourism Publicity Jammu, Abdul Jabbar; DIO, Rajinder Digra; ARTO, Rajesh Gupta and officers of other departments, prominent people of the Ransoo town and thousands of devotees were also present on the occasion.