Reasi, Feb 16: The three-day-long Maha Shivratri Mela at Shiv Khori, Ransoo concluded today on a spiritually uplifting and festive note, drawing an overwhelming number of devotees from across Reasi district and adjoining areas. The entire region remained immersed in religious fervour, cultural vibrancy and enthusiastic community participation throughout the celebrations.
During the mela, devotees thronged the revered shrine to offer prayers and seek divine blessings of Lord Shiva. The atmosphere echoed with devotion as special religious rituals, continuous aartis and bhajans were performed, marking the sacred festival with deep faith and enthusiasm. The holy cave shrine witnessed an unprecedented turnout, with more than 1.20 lakh devotees paying obeisance during the festival days.
A major highlight of the concluding day at Ransoo was the traditional Dangal (wrestling competition), which attracted large crowds. Wrestlers from different parts of the district and neighbouring regions showcased remarkable strength, agility and sportsmanship, receiving loud applause from the audience and adding colour to the grand finale of the mela.
Several social, religious and voluntary organisations organised langars at various locations, serving free meals and refreshments to pilgrims and visitors. The mela also featured cultural programmes, local stalls and community-based activities, providing a platform to promote regional traditions, folk art and handicrafts while strengthening social harmony.
The district administration Reasi ensured elaborate arrangements for security, sanitation, healthcare and traffic management to facilitate the smooth and peaceful conduct of the festival. Police personnel, medical teams, sanitation workers and volunteers were deployed at key points, and special measures were taken to regulate traffic and maintain cleanliness in and around the shrine area.
Devotees appreciated the well-organised arrangements and lauded the efforts of the district administration and local committees for maintaining safety, hygiene and order throughout the grand religious event.