SRINAGAR: The J&K Dharmarth Trust today announced that the Annual Kheer Bhawani Mela and Yatra scheduled for 30th May this year will not be taking place. Sighting the outbreak of coronavirus, rise in number of cases and lockdown restrictions enforced by the Government and Local Authorities, J&K Dharmarth Trust has decided to cancel the forthcoming Kheer Bhawani Yatra and Mela.
Mubarak Singh, President of the Trust said that in larger interest of public health and safety we have to restrict public festivities and religious activities, hence the Kheer Bhawani Mela would not take place this year. He added that keeping in mind the travel restrictions, safety guidelines and need for social distancing we would encourage all devotees to pray from their homes. Mubarak Singh said that with the continuing rise in number of coronavirus cases the public must support and cooperate with the local authorities and health workers. Furthermore, he said that the holy rituals and arati of the Deity will be conducted as per tradition by Priests in the Temple on 30th May and the same will be shared with the public and devotees via social media.
The annual festival of Kheer Bhawani Mela falls on the auspicious day of Zeshta Ashtami that is on 30th May this year. The occasion witnesses lakhs of Hindu pilgrims from across the country, largely from the Kashmiri Pandit community, thronging the famous Ragnya Devi temple in Ganderbal district to seek blessings of their Kul Devi.
Since the outbreak of this deadly disease, Dharmarth Trust has taken proactive measures to prevent further spread of the corona virus, cooperating with authorities and implementing preventive measures. All Temples and Shrines under the management of Dharmarth Trust have remained closed since the lockdown was imposed by the authorities in March. However, the management and Pujaris are continuing with traditional rituals, prayers and Aarti of Deities in the temples across Jammu & Kashmir.
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