Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 14: Various functions were organized in connection with observance of Vitasta Divas (Veyth Truvah) the birthday of river Jehlum by Kashmiri Pandits here today.
The Daughters of Panun Kashmir (PK) organized the traditional programme of Vitasta Divas on the banks of Ranbir Canal, Rajinder Park, here as usual. The programme among others was presided over by Moheni Raina, chairperson of DoPK and coordinated by Vimla Chrungoo, secretary, DoPK. Swami Kumar Jee was the special guest on the occasion while the programme was compared by Upinder Kaul, general secretary of Panun Kashmir.
The programme was attended by Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president, Panun Kashmir, Virender Raina, national spokesman, PK, Kamal Bagati, Vijay Qazi, N.M.Gadroo, Rajender Chrungoo, Samir Bhat and the other prominent ladies activists of the organization.
On the occasion, earthen lamps were kindled and after performing the Aarti these were immersed in the flowing waters of the Canal. An oath to continue the struggle in exile for achievement of Homeland was also undertaken by the participants on the occasion. The programme was marked with the religio-cultural discourse by the speakers.
Swami Kumar Ji gave an inspirational speech regarding Mata Vitasta and its importance in the context of Kashmir’s cultural history.
Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president, Panun Kashmir in his address said that Vitasta (Veth) has been the lifeline of the civilizational ethos of Kashmir for the last thousands of years. It is witness to the ups and downs of the political history of Kashmir. The Neelmatapurana has described Vitasta as the incarnation of goddess Uma, whose birthday is celebrated by the community of Kashmiri Hindus since the dawn of history in Kashmir. “We continued to celebrated it even in exile thus giving our generations a feel of our rich cultural tradition. This year the Vitasta Divas and the KP Balidan Divas have fallen the same day, therefore on this occasion we also pay our respectful tributes to the great martyrs of our community who laid down their lives to uphold their faith and nationality in Kashmir”, he added.
He also declared his total support to the ongoing struggle of the agitating employees of the PM’s Package and asked the government to address their genuine concerns at an earliest.
Virender Raina, gave a detailed description of the efforts made by PK in highlighting the concerns of the displaced community. He said that recently the delegation of KPs made a forceful presentation before the All Party Delegation of the Parliament and raised all pertinent concerns of the Kashmir Hindu community. “We outrightly rejected the demand for 1947 and 1953 position and impressed upon the APD to make it amply clear that there is no mandate to any authority in India to negotiate on the issues of unity and integrity of India”. We also emphasized that the reorganization of the J&K State with the establishment of Homeland for Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley of Kashmir is the only solution to the ongoing crisis.
Vitasta Divas (Vyeth Truvah) was also celebrated by Vitasta Devasthan Prabandhak Committee (VDPC) Veerinag by organising a Maha Yagya at Kral Bub Ashram Bantalab today. This is for the first time that the Committee could not celebrate the function at the original shrine at Veth Vatru Nag in Veerinag in South Kashmir due to turmoil in Valley.
A large number of devotees participated in the function and paid obeisance to Mata Vitasta which is the form of Mata Parvati and it is believed that Mata Parvati after her marriage with Lord Shiva came in the form of spring near Verinag. The Maha Yagya was simonized by Jyotshi Bhushan Lal and the devotees were served Prasad after Puranahuti.
This year the traditional flag was hoisted by Bansi Lal Bhat who was the highest bidder among the devotees.
On the occasion the devotees demanded renovation of Shiv Temple Omoh, hawans kunds at Vitasta and Omoh Shrines, two dharamshalas etc at Vitasta and one at Omoh, fencing of the entire land belonging to two shrines and installation of police picket at Vitasta shrine for its security.
Besides general secretary of the Committee, R K Bhat its president HN Pandita , Moti Lal Koul, Madsudan Bhat, M KRaina, S L Bhat, Radha Krishan, P L Koul, M K Koul, B K Bhat, Chaman Lal and other devotees coordinated in organizing the function.
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