Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 31: The annual Navdal yatra was held at ancient Navdal shrine in tehsil Tral in Central Kashmir district of Pulwama today where the devotees drawn from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir Valley participated in the Pooja -Archna after taking a holy dip in the spring there.
The devotees held Samohik prayers and participated in the pooja in a traditional way. According to Dr Ramesh Bhat a social activist, the Navdal is among the ancient Hindus shrines of Valley and it is linked to the holy Amarnath yatra from Puranic period.
He said the yatris visiting holy Amarnath cave were supposed to visit this shrine after performing their yatra for immersion ceremonies. However this tradition could not continue due to turmoil in Valley for last three decades.
The yatra was led by Chuni Lal Bhat, president All Shrines and Temples Development Committee Tral, Awantipora. The district administration led by ADC Tral received the yatra and extended full cooperation to pilgrims who reached Mattan from Jammu yesterday and Navdal this morning. From Mattan local Hindus led by president Tirath Raj Trust Mattan, Ashok Sidha also accompanied yatra and participated in pooja -archna of Lord Shiva.
The Committee however expressed concern over the encroachment made at Shrine by some anti social elements and gave a memorandum to ADC who assured that the entire land belonging to the shrine will be restored to it, said general secretary of the Trust T K Bhat. The Trust complimented the administration for its showing positive approach in removing encroachments. The Committee demanded that the ancient Navdal shrine being an ancient Hindu shrine be restored to its pristine glory as its history dates back to Vedic and Puranic period.
The Committee said that Amarnath yatra was considered incomplete in case the devotees visiting the holy cave failed to pay obeisance at Navdal. Dr Bhat said eight small springs including a big spring existed at this place on which it was named Navdal from times immemorial. A big Shivlingam also was in the Centre of main spring which is being worshipped by devotees visiting there.
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