First Ever ‘Shivkhori Shravan Mahotsav-2023’ commences at Ransoo

Divisional Commissioner Jammu inaugurates mega Religious cum Cultural event

REASI, July 10: An initiative of the Shri  Shivkhori Shrine Board Ransoo and Directorate of Tourism Jammu, the First Ever ‘Shivkhori Shravan Mahotsav’ was today inaugurated here in  Shiv Shakti Bhawan Ransoo Town amid religious fervor and gaiety.

 The grand event spread over 02 holy months of Shravan/Saavan will be celebrated on all Saavan Mondays which are considered as auspicious according to the Hindu calendar.

The event was formally inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, who is also the Chairman of Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board, in presence of Vice Chairperson Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board, Babila Rakwal (Deputy Commissioner Reasi); SSP Reasi, Amit Gupta; SSP, Sandeep Mehta; Jyoti Slathia, Additional DC Reasi; Vinod Behnal, ADC Sunderbani; Sunaina Sharma Mehta, Joint Director Tourism Jammu and other government functionaries, besides PRI members and district officers.

Speaking on the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner said that the Shivkhori Shrine has recorded an immense increase in the footfall of devotees visiting this holy shrine. The Shrine Board is committed to provide all amenities to the Yatris at Ransoo town and also all along the track and Bhawan, he added.

He hoped that the organization of grand cultural events in the coming two months shall act as a great attraction for devotees by providing them  opportunities to participate in devotional activities  like Katha on Shiv Purana, Bhajan presentations, Dramas on life and teaching of Lord Shiva among other religious activities.

In her address, Vice Chairperson Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board, Babila Rakwal said that the two month activities shall be a combination of variety of devotional programmes including Screening of Special Movies and Documentaries on the life of Lord Shiva, Grand Bhajan Competition along with Art/Painting Competition for young enthusiasts, Special Yagna, Pooja and Hawan at Shivkhori Bhawan along with Grand Closing Ceremony and Bhajan Renditions by popular artists.

The Joint Director Tourism, while addressing the gathering, said that the Directorate of Tourism Jammu is committed in its endeavour to promote Jammu region as an all season destination for tourists including pilgrimage tourism. She reiterated that special efforts are being made to diversify tourism experience of travelers coming to Jammu region by way of added tourism products like Skyview Gondola at Patnitop, musical fountain along with Open Air Cinema at Aquaplex Crown Bagh-e-Bahu, Weekend Retreat Ceremony at Suchetgarh Border Octroi Post, besides organization of festivals and events all across the Jammu region like Sinthan Snow Festival, Patnitop New Year Bonanza, Askini Bhaderkashi Festival, Revival of Old Traditional Heritage Vaishno Devi Yatra Route, Heritage Walk at Purmandal-Utterbehni, Water Sports activities at Ranjit Sagar Dam Basohli on World Environment Day, Basao Baisakhi Mahotsav at Mubarak Mandi Complex, Sanasar Tulip Festival, Seven Lake Trekking in Rajouri-Poonch area, Navratra Festival in Katra, Jammu, Kathua, Kishtwar.

The event started with mesmerizing Bhajan rendition by Vijaypuria Brothers Ravi and Raju, Ashok Hans, Julekha, Paramjeet and Chaman Lehri. The inaugural ceremony was anchored by Kusum Tickoo.

It is pertinent to mention here that the ‘Shivkhori Shravan Mahotsav 2023’ is a collaborative effort of Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board, District Administration Reasi, Directorate of Tourism Jammu and J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.

 Among those present at the inaugural ceremony were DDC member Pouni, Kewal Krishan; DDC member Panthal, Rajinder Mengi; BDC Chairman Pouni, Pawan Sharma; Pradeep Kumar, Executive Officer SSKSB;  Arif Lone, Assistant Director Tourism;  Rajinder Digra, District Information Officer Reasi, Naresh Kumar, Tehsildar Pouni; Aarti, BDO Pouni among other senior functionaries of District Administration Reasi and Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board Ransoo along with PRI members of Pura Kotla, Sangar and Alya.