Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 6: Suriya Saptami was celebrated with traditional religious fervour and gaiety today and in this connection a grand religious function was organized by Prohit Sabha Martand Improvement Charitable Trust at Surya Bhawan Paloura here today.
On the occasion, Swami Vishwatmanant Saraswati Ji Maharaj was the chief guest while former Chief secretary and MLC Vijay Bakaya was the guest of honour.
A Mahayagya was also solemnized on the occasion which started yesterday and concluded with Puranahuti this afternoon.
A large number of devotees drawn from different parts of Jammu attended the function and took part in the celebrations.
The Trust also announced Martand Shri Samman from this year and five persons for their remarkable services in different fields of life were presented the award during the celebrations.
They included Narayan Dass Khar and Dr Shri Nath Tickoo, (Posthumously), Jyotshi Omkar Nath Shastri, Maharaj Krishan Shah and Avtar Bhat.
The awards for Narayan Dass Khar and Dr Shri Nath Tickoo given to Shakuntala Khar and Bindraban Sher respectively. The duo were honoured for their life long service in the field of culture, promotion of Sharda Lipi and Auyrveda. Jyotshi Omkar Nath Shastri was honoured in the field of culture, M K Shah in the field of art and Avtar Bhat in journalism.
In addition to it Trust also felicitated chief guest, Mr Bakaya, H N Jatu, president AIKPC, K K Khosa, president, KPS, Kundan Kashmiri, president KPC, B L Bhat, ex MLC, Prof A N Sadhu, Rattan Lal Gupta and Anil Dhar.
Earlier Sabha general secretary, Vir Ji Pandita gave a detailed resume about the functioning of the Trust and its aims and objectives while its president M K Yogi proposed the vote of thanks.
Swami Ji while addressing the function said that Kashmir was a learning centre and had many shrines of great religious significance.
He expressed concern over vandalization of religious places in Valley during turmoil and regretted that the Government could not even protect them.
He stressed the community to join hands to revive the religious glory of Kashmir.
Vijay Bakaya in his address said though KPs are willing to return to Valley but the parameters for the same will be decided by the community itself. He said while community is highlighting its pains and agony should also recall the achievements made by it by recalling them.
Jyotshi Omkar Nath Shastri, Swami Kumar Ji and M K Shah also spoke on the occasion. The stage was managed by Dr M K Bharat while M K Santoshi read the citations of award winners.
Bindraban Sher read the Suriya Ashtaka during Deepshikha while Shanti Lal Sidh recited bhajan.
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