Thousands throng temples, Shoba Yatras taken out
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 10: The nine -day long Navratra festival started with religious festivities across the Jammu region today. All the temples of Goddess Durga and her nine manifestations were fully decorated and illuminated by the devotees.
There was heavy rush of devotees in the temples from early in the morning to pay obeisance to Mata Shelputri the first manifestation of Goddess Durga.
Large number of devotees visited the Bawe Wali Mata temple at Bahu Fort here from early in the morning. As per reports there was heavy rush in the temple complex from wee hours and about 4000- to 5000 pilgrims paid obeisance in the temple during the morning hours. But the rush declined during the day time and was as per routine.
The elaborate arrangements especially of security were made in the temple premises to avert any untoward incident during Navratra festival.
Large number of devotees also thronged Kandoli Mata Temple in Nagrota on the first Navratra today and paid obeisance of Mata.
The devotees also thronged the other temples of Goddess including Shelputri temple at Ambica Vihar, Gole Gujral, Jammu and participated in religious function there.
In various religious places nine -day long Navratra Hawan started this morning which will conclude on culmination of festival on Maha Navmi falling on October 18.
As per reports coming from other districts 3000 devotees thronged the Chechi Mata Temple in Samba, 2500 in Sukhrala Mata temple in Billawar of Kathua district, 3000 devotees thronged Kali Mata Temple in Jasrota, Rajbagh, and 900 devotees each thronged in the Joda Wali and Dola Wali temples in Billawar near HP border in Kathua district on the first Navratra today.
Meanwhile Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) Samba and Bari Bharmana unit senior leaders along with large number of Shiv Saniks have darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi on the first Navratra today. The Shiv Saniks started the yatra from Samba and Bari Bharamna to MAM Stadium, Jammu through the main bazaars of Jammu to proceed to Katra for Vaishno Devi.
The Shiv Saniks joined the Shoba Yatra from different parts of Samba district. The Shoba Yatra from Bari Bharamana was led by Raj Singh, secretary of Shiv Sena. The Shoba Yaytra from Samba was led by Ramesh Gupta , vice president of Sena.
All senior leaders including Dimpy Kohli, State president, Ashwani Gupta, working president, Vipin Hindu, chairman and Rakesh Kak, general secretary were lading the Shoba Yatra. Senior leading of Shiv Sena from other states also participated in the yatra.
On the occasion of first Navratra, former Minister and senior Congress leader, Raman Bhalla today inaugurated and participated in the magnificent Shobha Yatra, taken out from Bage-e Bahu Bawe Bali Mata with religious fervour and gaiety amidst chanting of Bhajans and hymns in praise of Maa Vaishno Devi towards famous Mahamaya Mandir.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that such festivals symbolize unity in diversity besides highlighting composite culture of the State. These events also provide a common platform to the people irrespective of caste, colour and creed to interact with each other and share their culture and traditions which further help in strengthening bonds of brotherhood and communal harmony.
Akhand Jyoti was today lit from the ancient Devi Bani Mandir at Manwal by R. S. Pathania, MLA Ramnagar today on the auspicious occasion of first Navratra. While greeting people on the occasion of ‘Navratras’ he said that Manwal (Old name Bavour) had been the Dogra capital and the biggest developed city of early medieval period. Given the ancient temples and excavations of manuscripts, idols, instruments and other articles, Manwal should be developed as a theatre for studying ‘temple-building, sculpture, stone-masonry and techniques, rituals and practices’ of early medieval period.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Chari Poojan has taken place at M.A. Stadium followed by langer for yatries who participated in the yatra which was organized by Dogra Front and Shiv Sena jointly.
The Yatra passed through main city before proceeding for darshan.The religious function was attended by Jugal Kishore Sharma(MP), Kavinder Gupta(Ex Deputy CM), Sat Sharma and Rajesh Gupta(MLAs), Ramesh Arora(MLC).
Ashok Gupta was the chief organizer while Narendra Tangri, Suresh Kumar, Geeta Devi, Lal Singh, Abhishek Gupta also addressing the function.
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