Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 26: The Vitasta Divas was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety today. In this connection various functions were organized by the Kashmiri Pandit organizations in different parts of the State who revered and worship river Vitasta in the same form as the Ganga is worshiped by Hindus all over India.
In connection with celebration of Vitasta Divas, the Daughters of Panun Kashmir, organized a function at the banks of Ranbir Canal the tributary of River Chanderbhaga (Chenab). The day is celebrated by KPs traditionally as Vyeth Truvah – the birthday of river Vitasta (Jehlum) for the last thousands of years. The activists of DOPK and PK participated in the programme and paid obeisance to mother Vitasta – the incarnation of Mata Parvati as described in the Neelmat Purana- the ancient religious granth of Kashmir.
On the occasion earthen lamps (deepaks) were lighted and after holding the traditional aarti the activist performed the Deep-Daan.
The programme among others was attended by PK president Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, Virender Raina its national spokesperson, Upinder Koul , general secretary PK, Vimla Chhrungoo, secretary DOPK, Kamal Bhagati, Vijay Qazi, Anita Kachroo, Sunita Raina, Rita Mattoo, N M Gadroo, Usha Mattoo, and Sameer Bhat.
P L Handoo, veteran writer and artist of the community and Dr Ramesh Bhat presented mesmerizing poems dedicated to river Vitasta on the occasion. The participants took a pledge to keep the struggle in exile alive till the accomplishment of the task i.e to accomplish separate homeland as per Margdarshan resolution. Swami Kumar Ji threw light on the significance of river Vitasta as per the Neelmat Puran and Vitasta Mahatmaya.
In his address Ashwani Chrungoo said the indigenous people of Kashmir, the Kashmiri Hindus are duty bound to strengthen their cultural traditions and take this message to the next generation. The period of exile has kept a daunting task before us to keep our tradition alive, he added.
Virender Riana expressed concern over the repeated harassment of Jagti inmates and urged the Government and urged it to stop this practice.
Vitasta Devsthan Prabandhak Committee (Verinag) celebrated the birthday of Mata Vitasta at its original place Veth -Vatru Verinag today. The Hindus believe that Goddess Parvati after her marriage to Lord Shiva came in the form of water sprout at Verinag which is at a distance of one km from Veth Vatru springs. This year the KPs especially those from Dooru Assembly segment converged at Verinag and celebrated the birthday of Mata Vitasta.
A Maha Yagya was performed under the supervision of Ramesh Ji Pandita while B L Pandita and Madusudan Bhat were the yajmans. The devotees were served with prashad after Puranahuti. O N Pandita hoisted the flag on the occasion.
Speaking at the function R K Bhat general secretary of the organization demanded renovation of Shiv Temple at Omoh, construction of two hawan sheds one each at Omoh and Vitasta, restoration of land of both shrines as per revenue records. MLA Dooru Farooq Andrabi and others also attended the function.
The functions in connection with celebration of Vitasta Divas were held at Nagrota and Jagti township. The functions were organized by Vitasta Samaj Sewa led by Chand Ji Khar. On the occasion the speakers highlighted the significance of river Vitasta. They also participated in Maha Aarti of the river.
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