Thousands of devotees from across the country visit the famous cave shrine of Shiv Khori on the occasion of Maha Shivratri festival to seek blessings of lord Shiva.
The Minister of State in the prime minister's office inaugurated the festival in the presence of state Minister for Tourism Priya Sethi, state Finance Minister Ajay Nanda and Divisional Commissioner Jammu Hemant Kumar, besides a large number of devotees, an official spokesman said.
The traditional festival is being organized jointly by tourism department, Shiv Khori Shrine Board and district administration Reasi.
He listed some mega development projects sanctioned and completed in Reasi, Kathua, Udhampur and Doda districts.
The Union Minister also announced Rs 1.20 crore from MP fund for development in the Ransoo areas which include Rs 60 lakhs for constructing toilet complex in convergence mode, 40 lakhs for Yatri Niwas and 20 lakhs for tube wells, the spokesman said.