Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 4: Jammu Kashmir Goraksha Samiti, Ambphala, Jammu organized day-long programme at famous Ambphala Gaushala to celebrate Gopashtami Mahotsav.
The function began with Gaupoojan in the morning, followed by Yagya, religious discourse and community langer. Hundreds of devotees and Mahant Rameshwar Dass of Ram Mandir, Purani Mandi participated in the programme.
President of the Samiti, Raj Kumar Gupta, vice president, Vimal Mahajan and general secretary, Gyatanandan Jain were among the prominent citizens present on the occasion, who presented mementos to invitees.
National Conference (NC) provincial president Devender Singh Rana also joined the traditional congregational Poojas on the auspicious occasion of Gopashtami at Ambphala Gaushala.
Speaking on the occasion, Rana said such auspicious occasions reinforce our faith in the great values cherished by generations from times immemorial. This is also the occasion to share our joys with fellow brethren and work towards strengthening the bonds of brotherhood, he added.
Meanwhile, Akhil Bhartiya Dharam Prachar Sewa Samiti (ABDPSS), Jammu and Kashmir also celebrated Gopashtami Mahotsav with fervor and enthusiasm. The programme was inaugurated by NMC president Subash Shastri in the presence of Sunil Sharma Co-ordinator of ABDPSS.
The function was started with Ganesh Poojan followed by Vedic Mantrocharan by religious scholars. After Pooja, Parikrama and Aarti, green leafy vegatables, fruits, jaggery and other fodder items were handed over by devotees to ‘Gou Mata’ in a very traditional manner.
Gopashtami falls on Ashtami Tithi during Kartik Shukla Paksha and according to mythology Lord Krishna lifted Gowardhan hill on His Knishtha (smaller finger) on Goverdhan Day to save Braj people from fury of Indra. After seven days of unrelenting flooding of Braj region God Indra accepted his defeat on Gopashtami.