3-day Shiv Khori Mela begins

RANSOO, (SHIV KHORI) Mar 9: The 3-day revered Shiv Khori Mela was inaugurated by Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla with massive prayers and religious festivity at Ransoo, the base camp of holy cave shrine of Shiv Khori here today. 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 praise of Lord Shiva followed by large numbers of religious cultural troops of Reasi district amidst cultural festivity.

Complimenting the people on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, Mr. Bhalla prayed for communal harmony, peace and prosperity in the State. He said that Shiv Khori Shrine is bestowed with serenity and one could experience the spiritual manifestation at the sanctum sanctorum itself. He said that due to the sincere efforts of SSKSB and Tourism Department, pilgrimage to the holy shrine is witnessing enormous, adding that the pilgrimage to the Shrine is touching the mark of 20 lakh presently. He hoped that yatra would touch new heights in future and the destination would be 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 Government has formulated a comprehensive master-plan Shiv Khori and its adjoining areas for the socio economic transformation of the people.

Elaborating on the Master Plan, he said five storied Yatri Niwas at holy cave shrine, Yagyashalla, view points, Darshani Deodi have been completed to facilitate the pilgrims. Mr. Bhalla said that special efforts are being made to divert the pilgrimage rush from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi to other tourist and pilgrimage destinations in the State.  For the purpose a comprehensive tourist circuit connecting various destinations having tourism potential is being chalked out, he added.

Source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/3-day-shiv-khori-mela-begins/