Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, Apr 13: To highlight their age old tradition, people here celebrated Subar Dhar Mela as a prelude to Baisakhi Festival, a symbol of Nag Culture with full religious fervour and gaiety.
Hundreds of devotees paid obeisance at ancient Subar Nag Temple located at a height of 12,000 feet from sea level, the doors (Kewaar) of which were opened on the eve of pre Baisakhi Festival celebration.
The traditional celebrations started early in morning with the opening of the Kewaars of 700-year-old Subar Nag Temple at Subar Dhar area. Hundreds of Nag devotees converged at hill top meadow surrounded with snow peaked mountains, after trekking 12 kilometers steep hill to pay obeisance to the lord Subar Nag.
On this occasion dozens of sheep were sacrificed as per ancient custom.
Head Priest of the Historic Temple said, “This festival has not only the religious importance but this is also the most ancient festival of this area. Devotees from the different parts of the valley arrive here with holy mace to have blessings of Lord Subhar Nag at this 700 years old temple, the Kewaars (Doors) of which were thrown open for the devotees this morning”.
According to reports, a total of 15,000 devotees had darshan at the ancient temple including 8,500 women and 6,500 men devotees.
Holy mace (Charri Mubarak) from Chinta, Shourara and Bhalara reached the Temple at 2 pm after which people started celebrating Basakhi festival with traditional Dekhu dance. Community food was served to all the devotees by the volunteers of Chinta Village beside administration had made adequate security arrangements for the safety of devotees.
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