In Jammu and Kashmir, more than 5 thousand people, mostly members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, started their journey from Jammu today for the annual Kheer Bhawani mela in Kashmir amid tight security.

Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that the four-day pilgrimage started today with Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Ramesh Kumar, Relief Commissioner (Migrants), Dr Arvind Karwani and prominent Kashmiri Pandit leaders flagging off the pilgrimage from the Nagrota area in the outskirts of Jammu city.

The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, celebrated on Zeisht Ashtami, will be held on June 14 at the shrines of Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Tikker in Kupwara, Laktipora Aishmuqam in Anantnag, Mata Tripursundri Devsar in Kulgam, and Mata Kheerbhawani Manzgam also in Kulgam. This is the biggest festival of Hindus in Kashmir after Amarnath yatra and holds immense significance in J&K.