 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 6: Stating that the yatra had increased manifold Mata Kheer Bhawani Ji Yatra Welfare Society (MKBJYWS) convenor Kiran Wattal today said that all arrangements had been put in place for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of the Almighty Goddess at Tulmulla in Ganderbal district of Kashmir.
‘The yatra will be held on June 12 and there should be no confusion in it. Pooja will start on June 13,” he said while talking to media persons at Press Club, Jammu, here.
On behalf of MKBJYWS, Wattal urged devotees to hold their own programmes outside the temple premises due to the shortage of space at the temple. “Pilgrimage to Tulmulla has registered a phenomenal growth under the administration of LG Manoj Sinha,” Wattal said and hoped that the administration would put in its best efforts to make the yatra a memorable experience for the devotees who visit the cave from across the country and abroad.
He emphasised the need for using state-of-the-art tents inside the temple permises, especially German Hangers, for the convenience of devotees. He also hoped that the problems, which devotees had to face last time, would be addressed this time. Wattal said the community was highly thankful to DGP R R Swain for the security arrangements which police had made for the safety of pilgrims en route the yatra route and at the temple.
“The community also highly appreciates the cooperation extended by tourism department, especially its director Vivekananda and joint director Sunaina Sharma, to the pilgrimage,” he said and added that the role of director tourism, Kashmir, was also highly commendable.
“It was virtually not possible for us to give final shape to our pilgrimage plans without the active support of divisional commissioners of Kashmir & Jammu,” he said, adding that the community was so thankful to them.
Wattal, however, put forward the demand of arranging at least 25 pc more blankets this year as compared to the last year due to the ever-increasing rush of devotees to the temple. In a video-conferencing held at the office of divisional commissioner here over a week ago, a threadbare discussion had taken between the representatives of MKBJYWS and the Kashmir administration led by divisional commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri as regards the conduct of Zesht Ashtami festival at Ksheer Bhawani, Tulmulla, Manzgam, Khanbarni Devsar, Tikker and Logripora.
BKBJYWS was led by Wattal who extended his heartfelt thanks LG Manoj Sinha and the Kashmir administration for their cooperation.
Chaired by the Kashmir divisional commissioner, the meeting was also attended by all the district development commissioners of Kashmir and heads of various organisations managing Hindu shrines in the valley.
The issues deliberated included cleaning of ladies bathing ghat, installation of German Hanger, water proof tentage , installation of 2HP water pumps, temporary vacation of building used by Nagdandi Ashram for storing materials, housing lady karykartas/senior citizens/service crew, restoration of flood lights, adequate water connections, adequate accommodation for yatris, living hall for yatris, sanitation and sufficient medical facilities within temple premises.
The divisional commissioner strictly advised all the district development commissioners and other concerned departmental heads to ensure smooth conduct of the forthcoming yatra and directed that all arrangements were completed at the earliest so that the yatris do not face problems on any account.
He had also advised tourism department for installing hoardings and doing wide publicity of the yatra .
He had advised DC, Gandebal, for sufficient bedding and providing of sufficient blankets to yatris.
Wattal complimented the divisional commissioner and all the district development commissioners of Kashmir, for action on war-footing assuring that all facilities shall be ready in all respects & the works shall start from tomorrow only.
The representatives of all the management committees requested the divisional commissioner that all the concerned deputy commissioners should form a WhatsApp group to coordinate with the yatra committees, particularly Wattal who was unanimously assigned the responsibility of chief coordinator of the yatra.
The committees also requested that on the arrival of yatris to their respective places, some higher authorities should receive the yatra will zeal and zest .
Others who were present in the press conference included prof ashok aima ex VC central university of Jammu,prem Sharma, pintoo ji,Kamal ganjoo,kundan Lal Raina, Roshan Lal koul, uttar raina, Avinash bhat,pawan koul. |
