Historic Sudhmahadev Mela gets underway

The historic Sudhmahadev Mela in Chenani tehsil of Udhampur district got underway amidst colourful festivity around the mela site on Tuesday. Thousands of devotees thronged Sudhmahadev temple to seek the blessing of Lord Shiva during first day of three-day mela.

During the first day of three days of folk fair, the devotees first bathe in the Beenisangam called Budhisudhi rivulet, which flows from top of the Dhar Shivgarh and is considered an abode of innumerable saints. Therefore, the devotees take bath in sin destroying spring (Pap Nashni bowli) situated just at the entrance of the temple, about which it is said that a holy dip in this spring shuns all evils.

MLC, Yash Paul Khajuria, formally inaugurated the mela.

MLA Chenani, K.C. Bhagat, Tehsildar Chenani, (mela officer), R.K. Anand, officers of different departments, tourists, pilgrims, prominent citizens and Local Mela Committee members were also present on the occasion.

District administration has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Mela like uninterrupted power, safe drinking water, sanitation, medicare, Police Control Room, assistance both and security have been made at the mela site beside various departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, Health, National Rural Health Mission, Apiculture, Handicraft, Handloom and Animal Husbandry have put up their departmental stalls to educate the masses about the various State and Centrally sponsored schemes especially for soico economic upliftment.

Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust looks after the management of this historic temple under the pioneering guidance of its chairman Trustee, Dr. Karan Singh and president of Trust, Th. Divakar Singh. Recently, the Trust has added various facilities for devotees, visiting the Shrine of Sudhmahadev and other sacred Historical shrines of Shree Gouri-Kund and Maantalaai. To meet the increasing rush of devotees of the Mela days, the Trust has already made elaborate arrangements for facilities of pilgrims like their boarding lodging and langers, darshans and performing of Pooja.