The historic annual Jhiri Mela, one of the largest fairs in North India, is being celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir amid tight security. Every year on 'Kartik Purnima' lacs of devotees attend the fair and seek blessings of Baba Jitto and his daughter Bua Kauri.

 

 

 

 

To commemorate the martyrdom of Baba Jitto the overwhelming number of devotees throng the village during the festival and offer prayers and services at the temple. The village Jhiri is located about 20 kms away from Jammu, off the Jammu-Akhnoor highway.

 

 

 

 

Baba Jitto was born in a village named Asgar Jitto and was an ardent follower of Vaishno Devi, according to legend. He was a legendary farmer who gave up his life in protest against the oppressive demands of the zamindars about 500 yrs ago.

 

 

The Mela is considered to be North India’s biggest religious gathering and goes on for almost a week. Devotees of Baba Jitto pay rich tribute to him by celebrating the fair in their festive looks and saluting the courage of a farmer, his sacrifice for the liberation of the farming community.

 

 

 

 

The devotees including women and children in large numbers are being witnessed arriving the temple this year too and the crowd multiplies as the day progresses. The devotees also take holy dip at the sarovar called 'Baba-da-Talab', a natural pond near the temple which is believed to have curative powers.

 

 

On its first day, Divisional Commissioner, Sanjeev Verma, in presence of several legislators, party leaders, large number of devotees and local people of Jhiri inaugurated the week long Mela and paid obeisance at the shrine of Baba Jitto.

 

 

 

 

There is hustle and bustle at the Mela venue from the very first day with long queues and stalls selling food items. An amusement park has also been set up for entertainment of young visitors. This year, the key feature of the fair is to promote sports and cultural richness of the region, as per reports. Various initiatives have been taken by Govt. departments for the benefit of the people and farmers in particular.

 

 

 

Nearly eight to 10 lakh devotees from across Jammu, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and other parts of the country visit the fair every year. In fact, most of the arrangements for this year's Jhiri Mela are also believed to have been made by the devotees themselves.