Jhiri Mela 2011 Begins

Nine–day long Jhiri Mela begins with pomp and show

The nine-day long Jhiri Mela started with much pomp and show today with lakhs of devotees from Jammu region and different parts of Northern India thronging the shrine of Baba Jitoo to participate in the inaugural function.

The rush started from early in the morning with the devotees coming form Punjab and other parts of the Northern India thronging the shrine. The Managing Committee of Jhiri Mela and district administration had made elaborate arrangements for the devotees. A large number of stalls, games for fun were also installed with children as well other people busy in enjoying fun. The children participated in fun and frolic enjoying swings, slides, marigold and other games. A dangal was also held on the occasion, which ended into a tie.

The Mela was inaugurated by Minister of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla. The stalls were also installed by various Government and public sector and private organizations for exhibition of their products. The Jhiri Mela is said to be one of the biggest gatherings in Northern India where lakhs of people turn up every year.

The stalls were installed by Agriculture, Horticulture, Drug Control Organization and Rural Development Departments.

The authorities have also made elaborate security arrangements for the Mela. There was such a huge rush that the devotees were spread up to two kilometer area while others were waiting in long queues to pay their obeisance at the shrine of Baba Jitto.

Entire Jhiri area and the shrine of Baba Jitto was fully decorated befitting the occasion. Due to the heavy rush of pilgrims and yatri vehicles directly coming from Punjab and other states to participate in the Yatra there was a huge traffic jam on Akhnoor road also.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Bhalla said that Government is making all out efforts to provide better facilities to devotees at Baba Jitto devsathan at Shama Chak adding that efforts are also being made to bring this revered place on the tourist map.

MLA Indu Pawar, MLA Bharat Bhushan, District Development Commissioner, Sanjeev Verma, Director Rural Development Department Shafiq Raina, Sarpanch Ashok Mahajan besides other senior officers of RDD, PHE, R&B, Agriculture, Horticulture, PDD and Industries accompanied the Minister.

The Minister asked the officers to maintain close coordination between the Management Committee and different agencies associated with the Mela to ensure success of this annual event. He laid thrust on ensuring availability of un-interrupted power, water supply and adequate stock of medicines and other essentials at the Mela site. He also directed the concerned to ensure proper sanitation in the Mela site.

Bhalla took round of all the stalls displayed by different departments to facilitate the people and directed the officers of agriculture, Horticulture and Floriculture Departments to educate the people about various Government schemes and incentives so that people could avail the benefits.

The Minister said Government has already announced certain measures for the beautification of all the ancient shrines across the State including Baba Jitto and Baba Sidh Goria shrines for attracting the tourists and pilgrims.

Remembering the life history of Baba Jitto, the Minister said Baba Jitto worked for the upliftment of poor, weak and downtrodden sections especially farming community throughout his life. He said teachings of Baba Jitto serve as beacon light for the humanity forever.

Baba Jitto a great spiritual saint was the devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi and he used to visit for the prayers to the holy shrine daily from his native village Garkot in Katra. Pleased with his devotion, the Mata Vaishno took birth as a girl child in his house, he added.

The Samadhi of Baba Ji was installed at Jhiri over 650 years back on Kartik Purnima and since then as a traditional Mela is held every year here in which lakhs of people drawn from different parts of the country participate. With this supreme sacrifice the Baba Ji has given the message that fighting the injustice is the real dharma. His daughter also went into Samadhi along with her father, he said, adding a temple of Mata was later constructed adjacent to his Samadhi.

Earlier, the Minister alongwith his wife Indira Bhalla also paid obeisance to Baba Jitto and Bua Kauri devsathan at the shrine. The Minister also witnessed the wrestling competition, which was organized by the Managing Committee on the occasion.

Mr. Bhalla distributed prizes among the wrestlers. He also gave away mementoes to different departments whose stalls were adjudged the best.

Meanwhile to ensure availability of wholesome food articles to general public during Jhiri Mela a special drive was carried out by the Department of Drugs and Food Control Organization J&K to register all food sale establishments which have opened temporary outlets during the Mela. About 259 vendors were registered under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act.