Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 21: Rich floral tributes were paid to the first Dogra ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Gulab Singh on his 225th birth anniversary today.
In this connection a grand function was organized at Shri Raghunath ji Temple by the J&K Dharmarth Trust. Chairman Trustee Dr Karan Singh, Vikramaditya Singh and Ajatshatru Singh (Trustees) performed the pooja in presence of president of the Trust, B R Kundal, Secretary Ajay Singh Jamwal and other office bearers of the Trust.
Dr Karan Singh highlighted the life and achievements of Maharaja Gulab Singh, who was instrumental in extending the boundaries beyond Ladakh up to Gilgit and Baltistan.
A Hawan was performed on this occasion and a large number of pilgrims as well as the official and staff of the Dharmarth Trust offered Puran Aahuti. Later Prasaad was offered to the gathering.
Maharaja Gulab Singh received no formal education and was raised instead as a great warrior and an accomplished horseman, proficient in the use of sword and gun. It was Maharaja Gulab Singh who created the State of Jammu & Kashmir with an area of 84,000 sq miles. This has assumed importance in the present context when Pakistan and the separatist elements in J&K have raised questions about the accession of the State with India.
Besides being a great warrior and a wise ruler, Maharaja Gulab Singh had a keen interest in social and administrative reforms. He passed sanctions against female infoeticide and Sati, made justice accessible to all and brought about many social and administrative reforms.
Maharaja Gulab Singh was instrumental in creating J&K Dharmarth Trust with a personnel donation of Rs 5 lakhs for the purpose of maintenance, management and repair of temples in the State.
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