Surinder Kumar
A month-long cultural and religious festival was organized with much fanfare at Panjvaktra Mahadev Mandir, a revered spiritual site known for its historical significance and serene ambiance, in the heart of the Jammu City under Sawan Mahotsav-2024 Series.
The temple has been a beacon of spiritual and cultural heritage for decades. Its sacred atmosphere and historical importance make it a central place for worship and cultural gatherings.
Throughout the month of Sawan, which has wide reverence among the people, a series of spiritual and cultural functions were organized in the temple which was thronged by thousands of people during the pious month. Normally also, it is being visited by number of people daily but the rush was very heavy during the month of Sawan with management making all arrangements for peaceful and smooth darshan by the devotees by ensuring that there was no inconvenience to them.
The events drew large number of people to the temple especially in the evening when various events including ‘Bhajan Sandhyas’, cultural and classical functions were organized by the singers and artistes of repute. Enchanting bhajans dedicated to Lord Mahadeva captivated the audience, filling the atmosphere with devotion and spiritual bliss. The series of functions were aimed at deepening the spiritual connection of devotees through a harmonious blend of music and dance, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Jammu.
“The Bhajan Sandhyas and other cultural and classical programmes not only provided evenings of spiritual enrichment at Panjvaktra Mahadev Mandir throughout the Sawan month but also showcased the temple’s commitment to fostering cultural and artistic expression. The overwhelming response from those who attended the functions reflects the temple’s significance as a centre of spiritual and cultural activities in the region. The programme witnessed tremendous success. Performances by the artists have significantly enhanced spiritual and cultural fabric of the community,’’ said Suresh Kumar Sharma (Retired Sessions Judge) and Receiver of Panjvaktra Mahadev Mandir.
Civil Society was also seen thronging the temple to watch open-air performances of the artistes during the Sawan Mahotsav which served as a platform to celebrate Jammu’s rich cultural heritage while fostering devotion and offered devotees a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of classical arts and spiritual music and connect with the divine.
Jammu, known for its deep spiritual roots and age-old temple traditions, has always been a hub for classical devotional arts and the Sawan Mahotsav played a vital role in reviving these traditions, providing a platform for both renowned and emerging artists to connect with the community through their art. Performances by the artists also highlighted depth and beauty of classical devotional arts.
The Sawan Mahotsav concluded on August 19 but it left behind a legacy of devotion and cultural pride, reaffirming the importance of maintaining and nurturing the region’s classical traditions.
Suresh Kumar Sharma, Receiver of Panjvaktra Mahadev Mandir expressed his sincere gratitude to the organizing members, the participating artists and the devotees who attended the functions. He emphasized the importance of continuing such programmes to keep the spiritual and cultural traditions of the Jammu region vibrant and alive. These events, he said, are not just about celebrations but also about preserving our heritage and passing it on future generations. “We will ensure that such programmers continue in the future as well,’’ he remarked.
Success of the Sawan Mahotsav was driven by the dedicated efforts of the Panjvaktra Mahadev Mandir’s Organizing team including Deepak Kumar (Founder/Director Rangyug), Amarjeet Singh, Sanjay Tickoo, Senior Architect Anil Gupta and Ashish Sharma, whose commitment to reviving classical traditions was evident throughout the event series. Raj Kumar Bahrupia conducted the proceedings while Neeraj Verma gave the performances.
Suresh Sharma, the Receiver thanked Sanjay Tickoo and Yogesh Sharma, members of the Core Committee for their valuable technical guidance at every stage, Deepak Kumar for being the force behind the organization of the Mahotsav and going into all details of the programs and ensuring the meticulous execution of the same, Gourav Gupta and Aman Sharma, selfless volunteers of the Mandir, for their hard and meticulous work in making the event a grand success, and Pt. Surajmani and Pt. Kuldeep Sharma and other staff of the Mandir for ensuring the success of the festival. He also thanked the Presidents of Rajinder Bazar, Kanak Mandi, Raghunath Bazar Association, Residency Road Association for their support and help in making this festival successful.