Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: The Durga Ashtami was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety throughout the Jammu region today with thousands of devotees visiting various temples of Mata in the region.
Over 32,449 devotees performed darshan at holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi today while 30,000 pilgrims performed darshan at the Bawe Wali Mata Mandir where the rush of devotees continued from early in the morning till late night.
The devotees drawn from different parts of the Jammu city were seen in long queues at Bawe Wali Mata temple at Bahu Fort waiting for their turn for darshan.
Reports reaching here from other parts of the district said that over 50,000 devotees performed darshan on Durga Ashtami in the temples of Sukhrala Mata Mandir, Billawar, Bala Sundri Billawar, Dollawali Mata Bani, Jasrota Mata Kathua, Puranic temple Kathua and other temples of the district during the day.
Besides, over 12,000 devotees paid their obeisance at Chechi Mata temple Samba.
Meanwhile, the Maha Yagyas were also performed in connection with Durga Ashtami at various temples and Ashrams here in which a large number of devotees participated.
A Maha Yagya was solemnized at Swami Kumar Ji Geeta Satsangh Ashram Muthi by Swami Ji. A large number of devotees attended the function and they were served prashad after Puranahuti.
Swami Kumar Ji threw light on the significance of the Nav Durga festival. On the occasion Devnagri translation of Shanker Ramayan by Hari Krishan Sidha was released by Swami Ji. The Ramayan was originally written in Sharda by Late Shanker Joo Razdhan. The function was organized by Sanskarik Prathistan Paloura led by Bindraban Sher as president and Mr Sidha as general secretary.
Swami Ji felicitated Mr Sidha for his work on the occasion. Besides a photo exhibition on Navreh was also organised by Bindraban Sher during the function. The exhibition was for the younger generation to make them familiar about the religo- cultural values. The exhibition threw light on Navreh’s significance and Swami Ji appealed the younger generation to take part in the photo exhibition.
Another Maha Yagya was solemnized at KP Sabha here in which a large number of devotees participated. The Hawan started yesterday evening and culminated with puranahuti today. This was followed by serving of Prasad to devotees.
On the occasion a special bhajan Kirtan programme was organised by Sabha. With the solemnization of hawan in the Sabha the Navreh celebration came to end today. President of the Sabha K K Khosa along with his executive members were present on the occasion.
Another hawan was performed at the temple in Sharda Colony Patoli Brahmana in which a large number of devotees participated. The hawan concluded with puranahuti this afternoon which was followed by serving of prashad to devotees. The hawan was performed under the supervision of B L Khar president of the Temple Committee.
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