Raja Syed Rather
Ganderbal, Dec 27: A total of 1,41,044 pilgrims paid obeisance at the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmulla during January–December 2025, reflecting steady pilgrimage activity throughout the year, official data revealed.
Month-wise figures show that 4,447 pilgrims visited in January, 4,722 in February, 16,094 in March, 22,446 in April, 3,609 in May, 20,678 in June, 30,058 in July, 8,462 in August, 5,031 in September, 7,027 in October, 4,608 in November, and 4,265 pilgrims in December.
The highest footfall was recorded during July, followed by April and June, coinciding with peak pilgrimage and favourable weather conditions.
During the Kheerbawani mela, necessary arrangements related to security, crowd management and basic amenities were ensured during high-density months to facilitate smooth movement of pilgrims and ensure their safety.
Locals lauded the efforts of the administration during major religious events. “During the Mata Kheer Bhawani festival, the District Administration Ganderbal and Ganderbal Police played a commendable role in conducting the mela smoothly and peacefully,” Mohammad Naveed, a resident of Tulmulla, said, adding that effective coordination helped devotees perform rituals without inconvenience.
Civil Society Tullamulla has taken the lead in raising these issues in a constructive and responsible manner.
General Secretary Manzoor Wani said the rising pilgrim numbers are a blessing but must be matched with facilities on the ground. He strongly demanded that Tullamulla be declared a “Tourist Village”, saying that would be a key step to ensure planned development, improved infrastructure, and economic opportunities for local residents.
Wani urged the Union and UT governments to speed up road widening and connectivity projects, saying such works would give a big boost to spiritual tourism and benefit the entire region.
The government has already shown positive intent. The construction of a G+2 Yatri Niwas at the shrine site is underway and is expected to accommodate around 1,000 pilgrims at a time. This project is being seen as a major relief and the first step toward addressing accommodation shortages.
Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Chief Patron of Civil Society Tullamulla, said they remain committed to the values of patriotism, peace, brotherhood and the welfare of pilgrims.
With record pilgrim footfall, active community support, and visible government response, Tullamulla is emerging as a strong example of how faith, development, and cooperation can move forward together, Bhat said.
“The surge of 2025 is now being viewed not as a challenge, but as an opportunity to transform the area into a well-managed and respected spiritual destination of national importance,” he added. (KNO)
