Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the historic Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmula Ganderbal in Central Kashmir to review final arrangements for the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela and offer prayers ahead of the festival.
During the visit, the Chief Minister inspected facilities set up for devotees, including crowd-management measures, sanitation, medical services and parking arrangements. He spoke with officials on the ground, reviewed security deployments and ensured coordination among civil administration, police and disaster-response teams.
“All arrangements for the Kheer Bhawani Mela have been completed,” Omar Abdullah told reporters after the inspection. “Adequate measures have been put in place to ensure the safety, security and convenience of pilgrims. We hope the festival will be conducted peacefully and successfully.”
Officials said preparations include dedicated medical camps, ambulance services, drinking-water points and temporary shelters for elderly and vulnerable pilgrims. Police and auxiliary forces have been deployed to manage the expected influx, with traffic diversions and designated parking to prevent congestion on approach roads. Sanitation crews have carried out cleaning drives and set up waste-disposal points near the temple complex.
Local administration sources highlighted coordination with religious bodies and community volunteers to facilitate crowd-control and assist devotees, particularly during peak darshan hours. Contingency plans for adverse weather or medical emergencies were also outlined during the review.
Kheer Bhawani Mela, one of the most important Hindu observances in the Valley, draws thousands of pilgrims particularly Kashmiri Pandits from across Jammu and Kashmir and neighbouring states. The ritual worship at the sacred spring dedicated to Goddess Kheer Bhawani is marked by offerings of kheer (rice pudding) and large congregations seeking blessings.
Locals and temple authorities welcomed the Chief Minister’s visit as a reassurance of administrative preparedness. “The inspection gives confidence that devotees will be able to perform their rituals peacefully,” a temple committee member said.
