An initiative of the Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board Ransoo and Directorate of Tourism Jammu, the First Ever ‘Shivkhori Shravan Mahotsav’ was inaugurated today with grandeur amid soulful Bhajan renditions by artists and renowned performers at Shiv Shakti Bhawan Ransoo Town in Reasi. The grand event spread over 02 pious months of Shravan/Saavan shall be celebrated on all Saavan Mondays which are considered auspicious according to the Hindu Calendar.
The event was formally inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sh. Ramesh Kumar IAS who is also the Chairman of Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board, in presence of Vice Chairperson Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board Ms. Babila Rakwal (Deputy Commissioner Reasi), SSP Reasi Sh. Amit Gupta, SSP Sh. Sandeep Mehta, Smt. Jyoti Slathia Addl. DC Reasi, Sh. Vinod Behnal JKAS ADC Sunderbani, Ms. Sunaina Sharma Mehta Joint Director Tourism Jammu and other dignitaries besides PRI members and district officers.
Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sh. Ramesh Kumar said that the Shivkhori Shrine has registered immense increase in the last one year, 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 hoped that the organization of such grand events during the coming two months shall attract more devotees besides providing the visiting devotees with opportunities to indulge in devotional activities being organized like Katha on Shiv Purana, Bhajan presentations, Dramas on life and teaching of Lord Shiva among other religious activities.
During her address, Vice Chairperson Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board Ms. Babila Rakwal said that the two month activities shall be a combination of various devotional programmes for all devotees including Screening of Special Movies and Documentaries on the life of Lord Shiva, Grand Bhajan Competition shall also be organized 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.
Joint Director Tourism Jammu Ms. Sunaina Sharma Mehta 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 Gandola 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 on the inaugural ceremony were DDC member Pouni Sh. Kewal Krishan, DDC member Panthal Sh. Rajinder Mengi, BDC Chairman Pouni Sh. Pawan Sharma, Sh. Pradeep Kumar JKAS Executive Officer SSKSB, Sh. Arif Lone JKAS Assistant Director Tourism, Sh. Rajinder Digra JKAS District Information Officer Reasi, Sh. Naresh Kumar Tehsildar Pouni, Ms. Aarti BDO Pouni among other senior officers/officials of District Administration Reasi and Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board Ransoo along with PRI members of Pura Kotla, Sangar and Alya.
