Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 28: The annual yatra to holy Gangbal lake in Central Kashmir district of Ganderbal, which is the abode of Lord Shiva as per Puranic history has concluded successfully today.
The yatra was jointly organized by Harmukh Ganga Gangbal Trust (HGGT) and All Parties Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC).
Giving details King C Bharati, national spokesperson APMCC and vice president, HGGT, said that the pilgrims have reached Jammu after performing the darshan at holy Gangbal lake and performing rituals there. The Yatra started from Naranag in Wangat area of Kangan tehsil on August 24 and team members had to trek to Gangbal lake and this year yatra size was also curtailed due to ongoing COVID pandemic.
The team members of HGGT and APMCC performed puja at Gangbal Lake which is located in deep Himalayas around 14,500 feet above sea level in the Harmukh mountain range, Bharati said adding the lake is also known as Harmukh Ganga and Kailash of Kashmir.
The yatra had started on Aug 24 and culminated today on 28 August. “The yatra was conducted under tight security”, he said.
It may be recalled that Gangbal yatra was revived after decades by APMCC on June 2009. The team members who undertook this year’s yatra include Anil Bhat, president HGGT, Pradeep Pandita, senior coordinator, APMCC-HGGT, besides other members of APMCC and HGGT Vinay Kaul, Rajinder Bushan, Rajeev Pandita, Ajay Sharma, Ashutosh Raina, Anil Bushan and Sandeep Kaul. The team members had a difficult time this year due to incessant rains but this also did not deter their spirit, the release said, adding the pilgrims were chanting slogans “Jai Maa Gange and Har Har Mahadev ” during the Yatra.
During the yatra the pilgrims besides paying obeisance at holy lake and abode of Lord Shiva also performed religious rituals of the dead people and those who were martyred in 30 year old turmoil in Kashmir including members of security forces. They held special prayers for peace and protecting the mankind from COVID Pandemic.
The HGGT-APMCC complimented Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, IGP Kashmir, Commander Sector 3, DC Ganderbal, Commanding officer 24 RR and SSP Ganderbal for smooth conduct of Yatra.
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