![J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina lighting ceremonial lamp at the begining of Sharda Mahotsav at Abhinav Theatre Jammu on Thursday. -Excelsior/Rakesh J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina lighting ceremonial lamp at the begining of Sharda Mahotsav at Abhinav Theatre Jammu on Thursday. -Excelsior/Rakesh](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/page7-9-6.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 30: The Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj (VKS) in association with the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Global Solace society, Tourism Federation, and other socio-religious activists today organized the first of its kind Sharda Mahotsav in Jammu.
As per a statement, the event, which coincided with the culmination of Navatri festival and Siddhidatri Mata Aarti, was held at Abhinav Theatre and featured a day-long religious-cultural program, inspired by the recent inauguration of the Mata Sharda temple at Teethwal and the cultural revival around the pilgrimage.
The proceedings commenced with Sharda Vandana, followed by a ritualistic prayer and devotional songs that kept the audience hooked. The convenor of VKS, Kiran Watal, announced that the event would henceforth be an annual one, enriched further with each passing year.
Well-known community activist and litterateur, Dr Agnishekhar, gave a detailed explanation of the background and importance of Sharda Mata.
Several eminent people from Jammu City attended the proceedings, and awards were given to those who had contributed to the cause, including RSS Pracharak Rupesh Kumar, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina, former VC, Central University of Jammu, Prof Ashok Aima; Madvi Sharma, and Kuldeep Luthra among others.
The program was anchored by Sapna Soni, and the vote of thanks was presented by Pintoo Ji.