Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 19: Like other parts of the country, the ten day long Ganesh festival celebrations in J&K started on Ganesh Chaturthi here, today with devotees performing Puja and other religious rituals in various temples across the UT. The festival will culminate on September 28 with the immersion of Ganesh idols after performing 10-day long Puja in various rivers.
The vibrant and auspicious festival of Ganesh Chaturthi has commenced with great fervor and devotion at Shri Raghunathji Temple, marking the installation of the idol of Bhagwan Ganesha in the temple premises. Ashok Kumar Sharma, secretary of J&K Dharmarth Trust and a former IPS Officer, performed the traditional Puja Archana of Bhagwan Ganesh at the temple during the installation ceremony.
The Secretary along with temple priests and devotees offered prayers for the peace and prosperity of the Union Territory. He said Bhagwan Ganesha, revered as the embodiment of wisdom and the remover of obstacles, holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. He said this festival aims to seek blessings from the deity for a harmonious and obstacle-free life.
The head priest of Shri Raghunathji Temple further elaborated on the festival’s significance, highlighting how it instills a sense of spirituality among the devotees. He emphasized that this ten-day long festival serves as a reminder of the values of faith, unity, and devotion, bringing communities together in joyous celebration.
The celebrations of the Ganesh festival also commenced at Lakshmi Narayan temple, Gandhi Nagar where devotees led by former Minister, Gulchain Singh Charak installed the idol of Lord and participated in traditional Puja. Prayers were held for peace and prosperity of mankind on the occasion.
The 10 -day long Ganesh festival celebrations also started at other Ganesh temples in the city and other parts of the Jammu region in which a large number of devotees took part and participated in Puja -Archana. The religious scholars who participated in these functions threw light on the religious significance of the festival.
After 10 day long Puja the idols will be taken in huge processions on decorated vehicles to be immersed in river Chenab and river Tawi by the devotees on September 28.
Reports coming from Srinagar said the fervor of Ganesh Chaturthi filled the air in Kashmir today as the main celebration unfolded at the Ganesh Temple, Ganpatyar situated in the old city’s Habba Kadal.
Early in the morning, the Puja commenced lasting for an extended period, during which Kashmiri Pandits from various parts of the region including those living nearby, flocked to the temple to partake in the religious ceremony.
Sanjay Tickoo, leader of the Kashmiri Pandits Sangharsh Samiti, explained, “On this occasion, Kashmiri Pandits prepare sweet bread, which is then brought here, marking the beginning of the Puja. This year, we have introduced an eco-friendly Ganesh idol, which was placed here for four days and will be immersed in the Vitasta (Jhelum) later in the evening.”
He added, “Our prayers are for the peace and well-being of people living in Kashmir and beyond. We seek an end to the woes we have endured for nearly 32 years.”
This year held special significance as several prominent Ganesh Mandal associations, including Kasba Ganpati Mandal, Tambadi Jogeshwari Ganpati Mandal, Guruji Talim Ganpati Mandal, Tulshi Baug Ganpati Mandal, Kesariwada Ganpati Mandal, Shrimant Bhau Saheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal, and Akhil Mandai Mandal, collaborated to donate a Ganesha idol to the Ganpatyar Temple in Habba Kadal, Kashmir.
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