Navratra Mela at Jawalamukhi

By Bijender Sharma

JAWALAMUKHI, April 04,2008 — The 10-day-long Chaitra Navratra mela will be held from April 6 to 15 at the Jawalamukhi temple this month. All arrangements have been completed by authorities to ensure smooth celebrations of the mela.The Jawalamukhi Temple Trust authorities are making arrangements for more than five lakh pilgrims who are expected to arrive here from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to pay obeisance to the Goddess during the mela.According to the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Mr K K Pant , elaborate security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order during the mela. Police personnel and Home Guards will be put on duty to check theft.Mr Pant said an Executive Magistrate would be appointed to be on duty round the clock. The administration has also banned carrying of all kinds of firearms and ammunition in the territory of Dehra revenue tehsil in the district with immediate effect.The Deputy Commissioner said to maintain sanitation standards during the fair the entire area of the city had been divided into sectors. Besides the regular sanitation staff, 50 safai sewaks would be recruited for this work. Medical facilities were also provided by the authorities round the clock, he added. Direct buses would be plied between Jawalamukhi, Chandigarh and Hoshiarpur.The DC, who is holding charge of Temple Commissioner also, said the Public Relations Department would set up a reception room and information centre to provide regular information regarding the mela to devotees. The Health Department has been asked to ensure potable water supply for the pilgrims. Similar fairs would be held at Brajeshwari Devi Temple, Kangra, and Chamunda in this district.