Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, May 10: Heavy rush of enthusiastic Nag devotees thronged the ancient hilltop Shiv-Bani temple on the eve of Akshay Tritiya to participate in age-old festival at Bhadarwah.
Like revered pilgrimage of Gangotri, Yamnotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath in Uttarakhand which remains out of bound for six months during winters and are made accessible to pilgrims on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, ancient Shiv Bani temple located at Touri-Hanga, 15 km from Bhaderwah town, also has its doors opened on this day for the devotees.
The ancient temple houses Shivling where the devotees paid obeisance after which followed celebrations and traditional Dekhu dance.
The fair culminated today after remaining there for nearly a month and started a day before ‘Baisakhi’ with ‘Subar Dhar Mala’ followed by Nagni and Gatha festival – a symbol of the Nag Culture.
Thakur Yudhvir Singh, general secretary of Shiv Bani Temple Trust said: “The ancient festival which marks the reopening of temple after 6 months on Akshay Tritiya is of historical and religious significance as thousands of devotees converge on this day here.”
Devotees demanded that the government, especially Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA) and district administration should come forward to provide some basic infrastructure and develop this place as a major tourist destination.
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