Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: The nine -day long Navratra festival started today with thousands of devotees visiting various temples of Godess Durga from early in the morning to pay their obeisance and participated in special pooja -archana.
All the temples were illuminated and specially decorated by their respective managing committee and devotees with special lights, flowers and buntings.
The huge number of devotees visited the Bawe Wali Mata temple at Bahufort from early this morning. The devotees were seen waiting in large queues for their turn to have darshan.
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According to officials by 7-30 pm over 25000 devotees had performed darshan at Bawe Wali Mata temple today and still large number of devotees were waiting in the queues for their turn.
The elaborate security and other arrangements were made near all the temples by the authorities.
As per reports, thousands of devotees visited the Sukhrala Mata temple in Billawar tehsil of Kathua district, Chechi Mata temple in Samba district, Joda Wali Mata and Bala Sundri in Bani tehsil of Kathua district on the first day of Navratra today.
A large number devotees also visited Baba Kailkh Nath Ashram where Master Somnath Trust had organized a free langer for the devotees on the occasion of first Navratra today.
A huge number of devotees attended the annual function held at the Bhagawaan Gopinathji Ashram Udaiwala, Bohri near here to celebrate first Navratra. The function started with Guru Vandana. As usual, Guru Geeta recitation competition was held in which 30 competitors participated. The competition is held with a view to promote Bhagawaan consciousness in the youth.
The competition was categorized in the Sub Junior up to 5th standard and junior group beyond 5th standard and up to 8th standard. Mahraj Krishan Santosh, Kamlesh Tufchi and Krishan Ji Pandita acted as the judges on the occasion.
The participants who bagged first, second and third prize in the Sub Junior Group are Simran Choudhary, Mahi Sharma and Mansi Bhardwaj respectively.
In junior group Narmata Bhat, Mishika Moza and Harshulla Ganjoo got first ,second and third prize respectively.
The function was presided over by Kusum Pandita. In her address she said that such type of programmes will help in promoting moral and educative influence on the youth.
An eight -day long spiritual activity in connection with the Navratra festival also started at the Ashram from yesterday evening with a Hawan and the activity will be daily held in the Ashram from 4-30 am to 7-30 am up to March 25.
The Durga Navratri celebrations started on a grand note in the ancient Mahakali temple at Bhadarwah today. The devotees from Bhadarwah and other parts of erstwhile Doda district participated in the function from early this morning to offer special prayers to Goddess.
The first Navratra is also being celebrated as Navreh by the Kashmiri Pandits and in this connection functions were organized at various places by displaced Pandits.
A grand function as usual was held at KP Sabha Ambphalla here to celebrate the Navreh in which State BJP president and MLA Jammu West, Sat Sharma was the chief guest and Ashok Kaul BJP general secretary (Org) was the guest of honour.
S L Bhagati general secretary of the Sabha read the annual report highlighting the achievements of the Sabha which included assistance to the deserving students, widows, for promotion of sports among the students of the community, medical assistance to needy persons, construction programme of Old Age Home, etc.
K P Sabha president, K K Khosa briefed about the 105 years history of the Sabha and objectives of its formation which was to preserve ethos and culture. He also highlighted the role of Sabha since 1990 when the mass exodus of community took place and the contribution of the Sabha towards the exiled people especially in the field of education.
He informed that the construction programme of Old Age Home will be completed soon.
He lamented the lackluster approach of the Government towards the displaced community and urged it to take cogent steps to redress the problems of the community. He said despite repeated reminders the Government has failed to provide proper accommodation to package employees and demanded that the employment drive should be further started and balance posts be filled up immediately.
P L Hatash gave account of KPs contribution to Indian culture.
BJP president and MLA, Sat Sharma lauded the courage K P community for its efforts to lift itself to greater heights after displacement while Ashok Kaul general secretary BJP spoke about the significance of Navreh.
Shanti Lal Sidh and his team sang the melodious bhjans on the occasion and vote of thanks was proposed by Ashok Braroo, senior vice president of the Sabha.
The celebration of Navratras started at Sharika Peeth Sansthan and special prayers were offered by devotees in the temple of Goddess Durga. The religious function will continue for the nine days in the Sansthan. On the occasion president of the Sanstha M K Jalai threw light on the significance of Navratra.
Vishwa Kashmiri Pandit Samaj also celebrated the Navreh function at its office here under the chairmanship of its convener Kiran Wattal.
The speakers highlighted the significance of the day and prayed for the peace and brotherhood. Wattal wished an honourbale and dignified rehabilitation and return of the displaced community.
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