Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Feb 26: Underlining the importance of peace and brotherhood in the region, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla said that peace and communal harmony is vital key to prosperity of the region.
He was here to inaugurate the 3-day Shiv Khori Mela. The Mela is being jointly organized by State Tourism Department, Shiv Khori Shrine Board and District Administration Reasi.
On the occasion, a colourful procession was also taken out in the town in which various religious and cultural troops participated.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Shantmanu, Director Tourism Soujanay Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Reasi Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Senior Superintendent of Police Reasi Vivek Gupta, besides senior officers of all other departments, prominent people of Ransoo town and thousands of pilgrims were also present on the occasion.
Wishing the people on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, Mr Bhalla said that Shiv Khori Shrine is bestowed with serenity and one could experience the spiritual manifestation at the sanctum.
He said that due to the sincere efforts of SSKSB and Tourism Department there has been enormous surge in number of pilgrims, adding that the pilgrimage to the shrine is touching 22 lakh presently and expressed hoped that yatra would touch new heights in future and the destination would emerged as one of the famous pilgrim destinations in the tourist map of India.
For the holistic development of village Ransoo, the base camp of the cave shrine, the Minister said that the Government has formulated a comprehensive master-plan for Shiv Khori and its adjoining areas.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Shantmanu, who is also chairman SSKSB, appreciated people of Reasi and Katra for their coordination for the successful conduct of the mela. Director Tourism in his welcome address gave a detailed resume of various developmental activities taken up in the area for the facility of theyatries. DC Reasi Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary in his address informed that district administration is working on tourist circuit, in order to attract more tourists in the district.
On the occasion, devotional programme was also presented. Various social and religious organizations have arranged free langers for the visiting pilgrims at various locations of the base camp and enroute the cave shrine.
Earlier minister also paid obeisance at cave Shrine and prayed for peace and prosperity in the State.
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