Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Oct 20: On the eve of Diwali, a historic Maha Aarti was held at the newly revived ancient Sarovar of Shri Narsingh Dev Mandir in Ghagwal, marking a moment of spiritual rejuvenation and community unity.
The grand event, organized for the first time, illuminated the temple premises and echoed the devotional atmosphere of Rishikesh’s Ganga Aarti.
A statement said the Maha Aarti began at 5:30 PM with priests performing traditional rituals using flaming lamps, conches, and bells amid devotional chants and music.
The sight of thousands of diyas glowing around the Sarovar created a divine ambience, drawing an estimated crowd of over 10,000 devotees.
The ceremony saw the participation of MLAs Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, Rajiv Jasrotia, Vijay Kumar district officials, the Deputy Commissioner Samba Ayushi Sudan, Senior Superintendent of Police Samba Virinder Singh Manhas, DDC Ghagwal Suresh Kumar Falli, along with several community leaders and devotees from nearby areas.
The Shri Narsingh Dham, dedicated to Lord Narsingh Ji-an incarnation of Lord Vishnu-is believed to be over 1,700 years old. The temple is one of the region’s oldest and most revered shrines, drawing pilgrims during festivals such as Navratri, Janmashtami, and the Rath Khada Mela.
The temple’s sarovar, once a sacred water source where devotees bathed before darshan, had dried up over time. However, through the efforts of the Mandir Management Committee, the ancient pond was recently restored, making the Maha Aarti possible after many decades.
The revival has not only reinstated a vital part of the temple’s heritage but has also rejuvenated local faith and devotion.
The VHP’s Jammu Tawi Aarti Team played a key role in organizing the event, bringing their experience from similar ceremonies along the Tawi River in Jammu. Local volunteers and community members also contributed to the arrangements, ensuring the event’s success.
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