Puja performed on Ganga Ashtami
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 14: Sharda Puja was performed on the banks of Kishenganga river right on LoC at Teetwal, Karnah in Kupwara district today on th occasion of Sharda Ashtami today which is also known as Ganga Ashtami. A group of 20 pilgrims including a few locals took part in the annual Puja that used to be held at Sharda Peeth ( now in PoK) prior to partition this day. Every year the Committee organizes a programme on this day that marks the ancient annual yatra day to famous Sharda Peeth. Swami Nand Lal Koul, a Kashmiri saint was the last to manage the Peeth, that holds a high place for Hindu faith.
The event was organized by Save Sharda Committee Kashmir that is spearheading the movement for reopening of Sharda Peeth that lies across LoC now. No Yatra has taken place to this Peeth since 1948 when Swami Nand Lal Ji along with his followers migrated to Tikker in Kupwara following tribal raids.
Notable feature of the event this year was Live interaction with people those who had come on the other side of the river Kishenganga to greet members of Save Sharda Committee. The supporters from the other side raised slogans and waved White flags from the other side.” We have a civil society across LoC comprising nearly 150 members who are working in tandem with us from here. They laid flowers on the Peeth in Nov’2016 and installed photo frame of Goddess Sharda inside peeth in March’2017. We have also received a Supreme Court judgement on preservation of Sharda Peeth in 2018 and also an Order for maintaining sanctity of the Peeth from DG Archaeology & Tourism in POK Government.” said Ravinder Pandita, founder of Save Sharda Committee.
The Head of the committee thanked the Indian Army for allowing such a yatra that allows the pilgrims of a faith to perform the rituals. It is notable that last year the Committee had organized a similar Puja on the banks of river Kishenganga at LoC Keran, which was done for the first time in last 71 years.
Meanwhile on the occasion of Ganga Ashtami a religious function was organised at Oma Nagri Brari Angan in Anantnag district of Kashmir Valley by PM package employees of Anantnag district. On the occasion Pushp Archana was held and Bhandara was also organised for the devotees. This was for the first time after the 30 years that religious function was held at this ancient shrine of Goddess Uma. The function as organised in coordination and assistance of the non migrant Kashmiri Pandits.
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