Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: With opening of the doors of Vasuki Nag temple at Gatha, Bhaderwah, on day of Baisakhi, one of the most revered shrines in Jammu region would be thrown open to public worship.
As per the centuries old practice followed in shrines located in middle Himalayas, including well-known chardham holy places like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamnotri, the Vasuki Nag Temple, Gatha, Bhaderwah, is also closed upon the onset of winter and reopened after a gap of three months for the devotees on the day of Baisakhi with performance of pooja. The day also marks the beginning of new Vikarmi year and summer Navaratras.
Vasuki Nag is the presiding deity of Bhaderwah and there are four Vasuki Nag temples in Bhaderwah: one at Gatha, second at Nalthi, third at Bheja and fourth at Nagar, Bhaderwah, which is greatly revered amongst the local Hindu devotees.
The Gatha temple is supposed to have been built during 11th century and later different rulers undertook renovations and additions.
The idols at the Vasuki Nag at Bhaderwah are one of the most spectacular works of ancient art of sculpture in Jammu and Kashmir. The two idols of Nagraj Vasuki and Raja Jamute Vahan are made of black stone which stands at an angle of 87 degree without any support from either side.
Despite the fact that the place has witnessed many upheavals and geographical changes, including earth quakes of intense severity, the statues which have been standing as they were, on small feet in their original position for thousands of years, has added to the mystique of the shrine that is visited by thousands of local as well as outside devotees and pilgrims.
In a bid to pay traditional homage to their presiding deity Vasuki Nag, the Bhaderwahi community of Jammu, has also built a Vasuki Nag Temple at Bharat Nagar, Barnai Road, Bantalab.
Talking to Excelsior, Mohinder Rathore, one of the karsevaks, said that following the age-old practice, the idols in the Jammu Vasuki Nag temple, barring the feet of the deities, are covered before the on set of winter and doors closed. On the day of Baisakhi, the doors of the temple are opened for devotees after pooja. He added that the mail, the annual congregation of local Bhaderwahi community is also held on that day.
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