The three-day Maha Shivaratri Mela commenced today at Ransoo in Reasi district with religious fervour, devotion and enthusiasm. The mela is being organised by the District Administration Reasi in collaboration with the Department of Tourism Jammu and will continue till 16 February.
A large number of devotees thronged Ransoo to participate in the inaugural ceremony and seek divine blessings on the auspicious beginning of Maha Shivaratri Mela. The atmosphere was charged with spiritual energy as chants of “Har Har Mahadev” echoed through the town.
The mela was formally inaugurated by Kuldeep Raj Dubey, MLA Reasi in the presence of Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary, Home Department and Ms Nidhi Malik, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi along with senior officers from the civil administration, police and various line departments.
The dignitaries extended greetings to the devotees and appreciated the coordinated efforts made to ensure the successful organisation of the event. A grand Shobha Yatra marked the commencement of the celebrations. The procession began from Tridev Hotel and culminated at Darshani Deodi, showcasing various divine forms and religious legends associated with Lord Shiva.
The yatra was accompanied by traditional drum beats, devotional hymns, tableaux depicting mythological themes and vibrant cultural performances by local artists, adding splendour and colour to the spiritual gathering. At Shiv Shakti Bhawan, Ransoo, the mela is being observed with traditional rituals, special prayers, bhajans and cultural programmes that reflect the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of the region.
Devotional music and recitations created a serene environment for pilgrims. Various departmental stalls have also been set up to display local handicrafts, religious articles and awareness material about government welfare schemes, drawing the attention of visitors.
The District Administration has put in place elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the mela. Comprehensive measures related to security deployment, sanitation, uninterrupted drinking water supply, electricity, traffic regulation and medical facilities have been put in place.
Health camps and emergency response teams have been stationed at key locations, while help desks and registration counters have been established to assist devotees and streamline crowd management. Speaking on the occasion, MLA Reasi Kuldeep Raj Dubey highlighted the religious and cultural significance of the Maha Shivratri Mela at Ransoo and said that such events strengthen spiritual values, promote communal harmony and preserve the region’s rich traditions.
He appreciated the efforts of the district administration and all line departments for making elaborate arrangements and ensuring a comfortable and safe environment for devotees. He also emphasized that the mela plays an important role in promoting religious tourism and contributes to the local economy.
Several langars have been set up by religious organisations, social groups and volunteers to provide free meals and refreshments to devotees throughout the mela period, reflecting the spirit of service and community participation. The vote of thanks was presented by Rakesh Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, devotees, stakeholders and volunteers for their cooperation and active participation.
ADDC Sukhdev Singh Samyal, PO POSHAN Sudershan Kumar, ACR Nitin Verma, CEO Deepak Gupta and other senior officers were also present on the occasion. The District Administration has appealed to all devotees to cooperate with the authorities, follow the issued guidelines and maintain discipline to ensure the hassle free and successful conduct of the mela over the next two days.