Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: Suriya Saptami was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety today. In this connection grand functions were held at Suriya temple Martand (Mattan) in Kashmir valley and Martand Suriya Bhawan Paloura here.
At Suriya Bhawan Paloura the function started with a Maha Yagya as usual yesterday evening and it culminated with Puranahuti this afternoon. A large number of devotees participated in the religious function from early morning today to pay obeisance to their Ishit Dev Maha Martand Ji.
On the occasion, bhajan kirtan was also held. The bhajan singers including Sunil Tickoo & M K Tickoo and party. Hari Krishan Sidha publicity secretary of the Trust spoke on the importance of Martand shrine and Lord Martand Ji.
The chairman of the Trust, Avtar Krishan Musa presided over the function. The Surya Saptami festival is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Martand on Magh Surya Saptami every year.
Minister of Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Haj & Auqaf, Abdul Rehman Veeri was the chief guest on the occasion and Swami Kumar Ji was the guest of honour.
Ashok Kumar Sidha president of the Trust read the welcome address. He made an appeal to Veeri that Martand Shrine be included in the map of tourism pilgrimage. He said in past it was on tourism pilgrimage map but now its name has not been there.
The Minster assured that the every possible step will be taken in this regard.
After the puranahuti the devotees were served with prashad.
The vote of thanks was proposed by publicity secretary, H K Sidha. Another function was held at original Martand Shrine Mattan in Kashmir Valley where despite the inclement weather the devotees from different parts participated in the religious function and paid obeisance to Lord Mahamartand.
A Maha Yagya was also solemnized on the occasion under the supervision of Jyotshi Avtar Krishan Shastri. This was followed by serving of prashad to devotees.
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