9-day long Navratra celebrations begin across J&K
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: Like other parts of the country the celebrations of nine -day long Navratra festival started with religious fervour and gaiety across J&K today with thousands of devotees paying obeisance in the temples of Goddess Durga across the UT.
All the temples were decorated and illuminated by the devotees and respective management committees befitting the occasion. There was huge rush in temples right from the morning and devotees including men, women and children were seen waiting in long queues in front of various temples for darshan.
Highest rush was seen at Bawe Wali Mata Temple at Bahu Fort here where as per reports about 40,000 devotees performed darshan on the first day of Navratra. The devotees from different parts of Jammu started thronging the holy temple early in the morning and the rush culminated late at 10 pm with about 40,000 pilgrims paying obeisance in the temple.
The authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the devotees. The rush of devotees was also seen in other temples of the Jammu city.
On the first day of Chaitra Navratri Festival, huge rush of the devotees was witnessed Shri Mata Sukrala Shrine at Billawar in Kathua district.
Devotees from different parts of Jammu & Kashmir besides neighbouring states queued in long lines to pay obeisance in the shrine.
As informed by ADC Billawar, over 10000 devotees paid obeisance at Sukrala Mata Shrine on the first day of Navratri Festival.
Huge rush of devotees was also seen at Chechi Mata temple Samba, Balasundri Mata temple, Jasrota Fort Kathua and other temples of the Mata in the district.
A large number of devotees also visited Kol Kandoli temple Nagrota on the first Navratra today.
On the auspicious onset of Navratra, senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana today joined a large number of devotees to pay obeisance at the historic, heritage and ancient Kol Kandoli temple, the first spiritual destination on the ancient heritage Mata Vaishno Deviji yatra route, and prayed for peace and tranquility across the country as also in Jammu and Kashmir.
“It’s time for spiritual rejuvenation and devotion”, Devender Rana said while interacting with the devotees and greeting them on the auspicious occasion.
He added: “As we embark upon the holy odyssey, let us uphold the values of unity, diversity, inclusivity and strive to create a world where everyone can live with dignity, respect, and equality in the true spirit of Vasudeva Kutumbakam.”
A nine-day long spiritual activity in connection with the Navratra festival started at the Udhaywala Jammu Ashram of Bhagawaan Gopinath Ji. The activity will continue to be held at the Ashram from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily during these auspicious days and the Puran Ahuti will take place on the 17th of April, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. followed by prasad distribution.
A huge congregation of devotees attended the annual function held at the Bhagawaan Gopinathji Ashram, Udhaywala, Bohri, Jammu to mark the first Navratra “Navreh celebrations”. The function started at 2 p.m. sharp with the Guru Vandana. As usual, Guru-Geeta recitation competition was held on the occasion in which 30 competitors participated. This competition is held with a view to promoting Bhagawaan consciousness in the youth. Vijay Wali, Dr. Sanjay Pandita and S.N. Maratha acted as the judges on the occasion. The participants who bagged 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize in the Sub-junior group are :Atharva Bhat, Radhika Salgotra and Avantika Manhas respectively. In Junior Group : Ananya Saini, Tejesvi Pandita and Divit Koul. In Senior Group :Aishani Saraf, Kashika Patwari and Diva Raina got 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize respectively. Certificates and trophies were given to the position holders in each group. All other participants were given certificates.
The function was presided over by Prof. P.N. Trisal.
On the occasion of Navratra a large number of devotees thronged the Sharika Peeth Subash Nagar where the nine day long religious activities started early this morning under the supervision of president of Sanstha, M K Jalali.
A large number of devotees thronged Jagat Amba Sharika Chakreshwar Srinagar on first Navratra today where a grand function was held under the leadership of Randip Gurkha. The Puja was performed in the shrine in a traditional way.
On the occasion of first Navratra a large number of devotees thronged newly constructed temple at Thalwal, Jammu where a grand function was held on first Navratra. Another function was organised at Nardani by the devotees and Management Committee of Jeshta Devi Shrine, Srinagar led by Bharat Bushan Bhat.
A large number of devotees also paid obeisance at Mata Kheer Bhawani temple, Tulmulla in Ganderbal district of Kashmir Valley.
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