Annual Sarthal Devi yatra begins

Devotees participating in shoba yatra of Sarthal Devi in Kishtwar on Friday. -Excelsior/Tilak Raj
Devotees participating in shoba yatra of Sarthal Devi in Kishtwar on Friday. -Excelsior/Tilak Raj

Excelsior Correspondent

Kishtwar, July 24 : Two-day Annual Sarthal Devi Ji Yatra began today with great religious fervour and gaiety.
The yatra started with the Shoba Yatra which was carried from Gori Shankar Mandir Sarkoot. The Shoba Yatra passed through historic Chowgan Ground and Main Market Kishtwar with traditional drum beatings, dances and chanting of religious slogans and bhajans.
Thousands of devotees, school children and people from all walks of life participated in the yatra. The members of Shri Devi ji Trust Kishtwar carried the Chari Mubarak and the Shoba Yatra culminated at Bus Stand Kishtwar where addressing the gathering many participants highlight the acheivement of Lt.Vice Chairman Sarthal Devi Ji Trust Kishtwar Thakur Jugal Bhandari and after that devotees boarded the buses and other vehicles and left for the historic abode of Maa Ashtadash Bhuja located in Scenic Sarthal village.
Tomorrow morning a Mahayajna will be performed at Sarthal where Chari Mubarak will be offered to Devi Ashtadash Bhuja Mata. This yatra is a symbol of age old tradition of Kishtwar where it is popularly known as ‘Sarkari Yatra’ due to the fact that during the Dogra rule, the yatra was annually organised by the Maharajas.
Now, this historic yatra is annually managed by Shri Sarthal Devi Ji Trust. The district administration has made all the necessary arrangements regarding security, drinking water, power supply, transport and other facilities at Sarthal and Kishtwar for this yatra.