Excelsior Correspondent
RANSOO (REASI), Mar 3: A three-day Mahashivratri Mela was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairperson, Shiv Khori Shrine Board, Indu Kanwal Chib here today.
The three-day festival began with a Shobha Yatra in which the chief guest, locals, pilgrims and other dignitaries participated.
Promotional stalls were set up by Horticulture, ICDS, Education and various other departments for general awareness and education of the masses. The DC, along with Additional DC inspected the stalls and directed the officials to promote departmental activities and initiatives.
Later, a number of cultural presentations were given by artists of J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages and others at the Tourist Reception Centre, Ransoo.
In his welcome address, ADC and Executive Officer, SSKSB, Rajinder Sharma said that approximately 15 lakh pilgrims visited the holy shrine last year and the number is expected to increase this year.
Hailing the communal harmony of the people of the region, the DC asked all the pilgrims and langar organisers to keep the area clean during and after the mela. She also asked devotees to refrain from spreading noise pollution and plastic waste.
Among others, AD Tourism, Umesh Shan; BDO Pouni, Om Prakash and local Sarpanchs were also present at the event.
The festival is being jointly organised by Directorate of Tourism, Shiv Khori Shrine Board and District Administration Reasi. Various cultural presentations, including those by the Information Department, will be presented on second day of the mela. Traditional dangal will mark the end of the festival on March 5.
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