Excelsior Correspondent
Kishtwar, July 5: Two-day Annual Sarthal Devi Ji Yatra began today with great religious fervour and gaiety.
On this occasion, an impressive Shoba Yatra was carried out from Gori Shankar Mandir Sarkoot. The Shoba Yatra passed through historic Chowgan Ground and Main Market Kishtwar with traditional drum beatings, traditional dances and chanting of religious slogans and bhajans.
Thousands of devotees, school children and people from all walks of life participated in the yatra. The members of Shri Sarthal Devi ji Trust Kishtwar carried the Chari Mubarak and the Shoba Yatra culminated at Bus Stand Kishtwar from where the devotees boarded buses and other vehicles and left for the historic abode of Maa Ashtadash Bhuja located in Scenic Sarthal village.
Tomorrow morning a Mahayajna will be performed at Sarthal where Chari Mubarak will be offered to Devi Ashtadash Bhuja Mata. This yatra is a symbol of age old tradition of Kishtwar where it is popularly known as ‘Sarkari Yatra’ due to the fact that during the Dogra rule, the yatra was annually organised by the Maharajas.
Now, this historic yatra is annually managed by Shri Sarthal Devi Ji Trust. The district administration has made all the necessary arrangements regarding security, drinking water, power supply, transport and other facilities at Sarthal and Kishtwar for this yatra.
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