Excelsior Correspondent
Reasi (Agar Jitto), May 28: Arrangements for the 3-day historic Baba Aghar Jitto Mela commencing from June 1 were finalized in a meeting of officers held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Reasi-Sushma Chauhan here at Aghar Jitto.
Ahead of festival, a special cleanliness drive (Shram-dhan) was also launched, which witnessed a huge gathering and an impressive participation by the locals and District Officers led by Deputy Commissioner herself.
Chauhan talking to media said that the Aghar Jitto Mela is a major tourist attraction and devotees from all across the country pay obeisance, to the birth place of the famous Dogra Hero Baba Jitto. She said, the purpose of launching the special cleanliness drive under the aegis of Shram Daan, was to sensitive the local population for their participation in keeping this holy place clean and garbage free.
Further, Chauhan emphasized that, “Cleanliness of this auspicious place is a collective responsibility of all stake holders, particularity the locals and tourists coming from outside, to play their part in maintaining the overall sanctity of the area, and today’s exercise was to reinforce this message, and to encourage the youth all the district officers were seen cleaning the area themselves, very
This twin exercise of finalizing the Mela preparation and conducting Shram Daan along side , made remarkable visible difference, and the locals, particularity youth, seemed quite motivated to carry forward the cleanliness exercise initiated by the District Administration.
Chauhan said that in this mela Lakhs of devotees come from different parts of the country irrespective of castes and , religion pay their respect to Baba Jitto. The main attraction of the mela is special theatrical performance by local artist depicting the life and sacrifice of “Baba Jitto” by Jammu based theater group Natrang, said Chauhan.
She added that devotees wait all year to attend this mela and have become one of the major tourist attractions of the place after Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and Shiv Khori Shrine, adding that District administration has taken special measures in making this Mela a big success. A chain of events like special Puja at the bank of river Chenab, Arti, Bhajan kirtan, Shobha Yatra, local folk songs, sports like Dangal are organized by local administration to attract tourist.
Chauhan directed all the departments to make arrangements for their stalls and showcase department achievements and attractions. She added that District administration has put a great deal of effort in making this mela a big success and for all others melas to be as a benchmark standard.
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