JAMMU: Over 8,400 devotees, mostly from the Kashmiri Pandit community, are set to leave Jammu for the annual Kheer Bhawani fair in Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday.

The four-day pilgrimage will begin on June 12 when devotees will leave in buses from Nagrota area on the outskirts of Jammu city amid tight security arrangements.

This year, 80,000 to 90,000 Kashmiri Pandits from different parts of India and abroad are expected to visit the five famous temples of the valley.

The annual Kheer Bhavani fair celebrated on Jesht Ashtami on 14 June is held in Tulmulla (Ganderbal), Tikkar (Kupwara), Laktipora Aishmukam (Anantnag), Mata Tripurasundari Devsar (Kulgam), and Mata Kheer Bhavani Manzgam (Kulgam) in Kashmir.

"We have registered more than 8,400 pilgrims for the pilgrimage," Relief Commissioner Dr Arvind Karwani said here.

Karvani said around 200 buses have been provided to travel to the five temple complexes where the Kheer Bhavani festival is being celebrated to pay homage to Goddess Maha Ragnaya.

"The relief department, administration and security forces have made elaborate arrangements to ensure the success of this pilgrimage," Karwani said.