Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 21: Sharda Ashtami which is also known as Gang Ashtami was celebrated with full religious fervour and gaiety today.
In this connection a grand function was held at Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra Anand Nagar Bohri where a Mahayagya was also solemnized.
The Yagya started yesterday evening and it culminated this afternoon with Puranahuti.
The devotees were served Prashad after Puranahuti. Prof Ashok Aima, VC Central University, Jammu was the chief guest during the function while Dr K N Pandita a well known scholar was guest of honour.
Noted French scholar Nathelena Reynold who is an authority on Indo-Pak study was also present on the occasion. The welcome speech was delivered by senior Trustee H N Pandita. Well known social activist Amarnath Ganjoo was honoured with annual Sharda Puraskar on the occasion. The award was received by his son T K Ganjoo on his behalf.
Prof Ashok Aima while appreciating the role of Kendra in preserving the rich cultural heritage of Kashmiri Pandits urged the community youth to take part in competitive examinations. Besides, he also stressed on training the youth in skill development and urged the community organizations to come forward in extending helping hand to such youth.
Dwarika Nath Raina general secretary of the Kendra gave resume of the activities of the Kendra and also about the future programmes.
In his address Dr K N Pandita spoke about the importance of preservation of Sharda culture. He made an appeal to Union Government to open world famous Sharda Shrine presently in PoK for Hindu pilgrims.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof T N Shalla president Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra. He highlighted the role of SSK in preserving the social and cultural heritage of KPs. A musical programme was also organized by the Kendra in which Kashmiri devotional songs were sung by renowned Kashmiri singer Shanti Lal Sidah. The programme was hosted by Dr M K Bharat.
A book “Kashmir Ka Sankshipth Sangarsh Mai Ithihas’’ was also released on the occasion with a purpose of conducting a test (Shardha Gyan Pratiyogita) which is scheduled to be held on November 7 among the school going children.
A photo exhibition titled “Shri Ananta’’ on all Shakti Kendras of Kashmir was exhibited by Bindraban Sher a Hindi scholar of the State. It was for the first time that such a kind of exhibition was held on Shakti Kendras of Kashmir. Mr Sher got applauds for his innovative ideas from the gathering who visited the exhibition.
The annual pilgrimage of Gangbal shrine in deep Himalayas of Kashmir is also held today with devotees taking a dip in holy lake their besides paying obeisance to Lord.
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