Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 21: Durga Ashtami was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across the Jammu region today with thousands of devotees visiting the temples in Jammu city and other parts of the region to perform special pooja on the occasion.
The Kanjak Pujan was also performed by the devotees from early in the morning to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga the deity of power.
During the nine -day long Durga Festival about 1.5 lakh pilgrims paid their obeisance at Bawe Wali Mata Temple at Bahu Fort.
The heavy rush of pilgrims was seen in the holy temple today with people waiting in long queues from early in the morning. According to reports 32,300 pilgrims performed darshan in the temple up to 10 pm.
The reports said that highest number of 39,100 pilgrims performed darshan in the holy temple on October 18, which was followed by 35,300 pilgrims on October 13. However on October 16 the lowest number of 7,300 pilgrims paid obeisance in the temple, reports added.
The reports coming from Kathua and Samba district reveal that 2.50 lakh pilgrims drawn from different parts of the State and neighbouring Punjab and Himachal Pradesh performed darshan at holy shrines of Sukrala Mata, Billawar, Jourian Wali Mata Bani, Bala Sundri Billawar, Sheetla Mata Basohli, Kalimata Jasrota, Kathua, Bala Sundri Nagri Parole, Kathua , Geeta Bhawan Jandi Kathua and Cheechi Mata Samba during the Navratra festival.
Meanwhile on the occasion of Durga Ashtami Maha Yagyas were performed at various shrines and temples today.
The Nine day long Durga Pooja culminated at Sharika Peeth Sanstha , Subash Nagar here with performing of Pushp Archana by devotees. This was followed by serving of Prashad to people.
The function was held under the chairmanship of President of Sanstha M K Jalali.
Another Hawan was organized by JTC at Jagti township. The devotees were served prashad after Puranahuti.
Meanwhile Shoba Yatras were taken out by devotees at various places in city and its outskirts on the occasion of Durga Ashtami today.
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