Reasi: The annual three-day Shivkhori Mela coinciding with Maha Shivratri festival commenced on Tuesday at Ransoo, Reasi amid spiritual fervor and gaiety.
The religious festival was inaugurated by the Chief Guest- Member Parliament Jammu-Samba-Reasi Jugal Kishore Sharma in presence of DDC Chairman Reasi Saraf Singh Nag; MLA Reasi Kuldeep Raj Dubey; MLA Mata Vaishno Devi Baldev Raj Sharma, DDC Member Reeta; DDC Member Kewal Krishan, religious and community leaders and a large number of Devotees coming all the way from across the Country.
Deputy Commissioner Reasi Nidhi Malik extended a warm welcome to MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, other guests and devotees.
The inaugural ceremony commenced with a grand Shobha Yatra and Jhanki, which began from Tridev Hotel and proceeded to Darshan Deodi, creating an aura of devotion and festivity. The chief guest, along with other dignitaries, lit the traditional lamp, marking the formal beginning of the mela. A vibrant cultural program followed, featuring folk dances, bhajans, and devotional songs, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Director Tourism Vikas Gupta; ADDC Sukhdev Samyal; SSP Reasi Paramvir Singh; EO SSKSB Pardeep Kumar; ACR Anshumali Sharma; AD Tourism and other government functionaries were also present.
In his inaugural address, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma extended Maha Shivratari greetings to the people and lauded the District Administration Reasi and Tourism Department for making elaborate arrangements for the convenience of the visiting devotees. He praised the enthusiastic Jhanki procession and cultural programs, emphasizing the spiritual and cultural significance of the region.
The MP assured the people of holistic development in the area, pledging to address local issues at a faster pace. He stressed the importance of bringing Shivkhori under the PRASHAD scheme, which would ensure the comprehensive development of the pilgrimage site and surrounding areas. He reiterated the commitment of the union government, local administration, and all departments towards working collectively to provide devotees with the best possible experience at the holy shrine.
The Shivkhori Mela will continue for three days, attracting thousands of devotees and tourists, offering them a blend of spiritual enrichment, cultural immersion and festive celebrations.
