For first time in 35 years Uma Jayanti celebrated in Kashmir
Avtar Bhat
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Apr 6: Like other parts of country, Ram Navmi, the birthday of Lord Rama was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across the Jammu and Kashmir UT today. Taking out of Shoba Yatras, holding of Bhajan Kirtan and solemnising of Hawans besides religious discourses marked the celebrations.
In Kashmir valley, the main function was held at Srinagar where amid tight security an impressive Shoba Yatra was taken out by ISKCON in which people drawn from all walks of life, besides the ISKCON members participated. The Shoba Yatra passed from various areas of Srinagar city. It started from ISKCON Temple Tankipora, Srinagar and passed via the areas of Habbakadal, Sathu Barbarshah, Lal Chowk, Regal Chowk and DC office before culminating at ISKCON Temple Tankipora in the evening.
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People enroute greeted the Shoba Yatra. Jhankis of Lord Rama, Laxman and Sita Mata were taken out on a fully decorated tractor trolley and people enroute showered flowers on it. The devotees including men, women and children participating in the Shoba Yatra were dancing to the tune of drum beats and were also singing bhajans in praise of Lord Rama.
An ISKCON representative who was escorting the yatra said that people from all walks of life took part in the Shoba Yatra and extended all cooperation in making the programme a grand success. This shows a total change in situation in Kashmir and total peace prevails here. The people of all communities including Hindu, Muslims and Sikhs participated in the Shoba Yatra, he added.
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The J&K head of ISKCON, Sudershan Dass Ji said that the people will not get rid of prevailing problems till they follow the path shown by Lord Rama and Lord Krishna in real sense. He said the message of Bhagwat Geeta and Ramayana is the solution to all problems faced by the mankind at present. “Everybody should read Bhagwat Geeta and Ramayana to attain peace and well being”.
He said that Ram Navmi was also celebrated at ISKCON temple Janipur Jammu with full religious fervour and gaiety where function continued up to late night.
In Jammu, grand Ram Navmi celebration function was held at historic Raghunath temple at Raghunath Bazaar where large number of devotees thronged from early in the morning to pay obeisance to Lord Rama. The entire temple premises were fully decorated by the Dharmarth Trust befitting the occasion.
In the morning, Hawan was held which was followed by special Aarti in which a large number of devotees drawn from different parts of the city and yatris from other States participated. Later the Sunderkand Path (recitation) was held during the day. The Abhishekh of Lord Rama was also performed by the devotees on the occasion.
Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo besides the senior office bearers of Dharmarth Trust including Ajatshatru Singh participated in the function.
The Ram Navmi was also celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour by Akhil Bharatiya Dharam Prachar Sewa Samiti today. The organisation held many programmes on the occasion. An attractive tableau was presented by the volunteers of Samiti on the life of Bhagwaan Ramji and Shriramstuti Poojan was also held. The beautifully designed tableau featured a magnificent of Ramji which became attraction of everybody. The presentation was mesmerising and attracted a large number of devotees.
The public enroute warmly welcomed the tableau. Speaking on the occasion, national coordinator of the Samiti reaffirmed its commitment towards the society of organising similar type of events in future also.
Ram Navmi was also celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits at Anantnag town in South Kashmir where a Hawan was performed on the occasion. The devotees from different parts of town attended the celebrations.
As the day coincides with Uma Jayanti also -the concert of Lord Shiva, hundreds of devotees for the first time in last 35 years of turmoil participated in the celebrations of the birthday of Goddess Uma at its abode Brari Angan , Anantnag Kashmir. A Maha Yagya was also performed at the holy shrine where a grand temple has been built last year by Uma Bhagwati Asthapan Trust.
Former Rajya Sabha member and renowned scholar, Rakesh Sinha was the chief guest on the occasion who also paid obeisance to Goddess. In his address, Sinha highlighted the values of Sanatan Dharma which considers entire humanity as one family irrespective their religion, region, caste, creed and sex. He urged the majority community to come forward and ensure the resettlement and rehabilitation of their Hindu brethren in Kashmir valley as the mass exodus has brought a bad name to the rich cultural ethos of Kashmir.
Pushkar Nath Koul, acting president of the Trust delivered welcome address and gave a brief about the history of shrine. Yagin Bhat, a socio-religious activist also spoke on the occasion while the vote of thanks was proposed by M K Khar. DC and SSP Anantnag also attended the programme and supervised the arrangements for the visiting devotees.
On the occasion of Chaitra Navratri and Ram Navmi special Puja was held at Bhagawaan Purshuramji temple at Gangyal. Devotees thronged the temple early in the morning to take part in Ram Navmi celebrations. A Satsang was held in the temple followed by Kanjak Pujan.
The festival of Navratri and Ram Navmi was celebrated at Shri Lakshmi Narayan temple Gandhi Nagar. Special prayers were held in the temple in the morning and later in the evening. On the occasion, a Ram Katha in Dogri by Pt. Sat Pal Raina was held which was followed by Durga Bhajans. The Ram Katha was arranged by Management Trust of the temple. Besides, special Hawan was also performed. Gulchain Singh Charak former Minister and president of Trust along with other members also were present on the occasion.
Eight day spiritual activity held during holy Navratras culminated at Bhagawaan Gopinath Ji Ashram, Udaiwala , Bohri today. Hundreds of devotees thronged the Ashram during these days and participated in spiritual activities. The eight day long Hawan which started on First Navratra i.e March 30 concluded today. Crores of Mantras were recited by devotees during these days. After the culmination of function Prashad was served to devotees.
Nine day long Puja was also concluded at Sharika Peeth Sanastha, Subash Nagar today. During eight days Puja -Archana was held and on concluding day a Maha Yagya was solemnised under the supervision of Sanstha president, M K Jalali. A large number of devotees attended the religious function and they were served with Prashad after Puran Ahuti.
Hundreds of devotees also thronged Chakreshwar Hari Parbat, Srinagar and participated in the celebrations of Ram Navmi on concluding day of Navratras today where a grand function was organised by Vishaw Kashmiri Samaj led by Kiran Wattal, its chairman. The devotees participated in special Puja Archana under the lotus feet of Jagat Amba Sharika -the presiding deity of Kashmir and prayed for prevalence of peace and well being of humanity. The function concluded with serving of Prashad to devotees.
Ram Navmi was celebrated by Bhadarkali Aathapan Trust at the shrine of Mata Bhaderkali in Wadipora, Handwara and at Thalwal Jammu where grand functions were held in which large number of devotees participate. The functions were organised by Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan Trust.
On the occasion Ram Navmi and concluding ceremony of Navratra religious function was held at Kheer Bhawani Asthapan Manzgam where large number of devotees took part in Puja Archana. The function was organised by Kheer Bhawani Manzgam Asthapan Committee led by Kuldeep Riana.
On the occasion of Ram Navmi a Shivlingam was installed in ancient shrine of Karakut Nag Salia in South Kashmir district of Anantnag by Papharan Nag Karkut Nag Trust. A Hawan was also performed on the occasion and large number of devotees took part in the function.
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