APRIL 6: As part of its annual calendar of events, the Tourism Department of Jammu and Kashmir organised the grand celebration of Mela Bahu Fort 2025 on the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri. The historic Bahu Fort, home to the revered Bawe Wali Mata Temple, transformed into a vibrant hub of devotion, music, and cultural expression, drawing large crowds of devotees, artists, students, and tourists.
Gracing the occasion as Chief Guest, Satish Sharma, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, extended heartfelt Navratri greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He prayed for peace, harmony, and prosperity in the region, emphasizing the significance of such festivals in uniting communities and celebrating the region’s rich spiritual heritage.The Minister lauded the efforts of the Tourism Department for consistently organising events that promote local culture and elevate pilgrimage tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that religious, adventure, winter sports, and water-based tourism are central to the government’s long-term tourism strategy and development agenda.
Also present at the event were MLA Bahu Vikram Randhawa, Director Tourism Jammu Vikas Gupta, Joint Director Tourism Aijaz Qaiser, and other officials from related departments. Rajeev Charak, President of the Bahu Fort Development Committee, along with other stakeholders, also participated in the celebrations.Satish Sharma highlighted the cultural and spiritual importance of Bawe Wali Mata Temple and Bahu Fort, calling them timeless symbols of the Dogra community’s devotion and pride. He urged the youth and future generations to remain connected with their roots through such traditional events.
The event featured soulful devotional performances by acclaimed artists from the Information Department and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL). Their presentations, steeped in bhakti rasa, elevated the spiritual ambiance of the festival.Adding to the festive spirit, 21 students from Government Higher Secondary School, Bahu participated in junior and senior categories, showcasing vibrant dance and music performances inspired by Navratri. The winners were felicitated with mementoes and certificates of appreciation, encouraging youth engagement in cultural preservation.