Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 15: Hora Ashtami one of the important festivals of Kashmiri Pandits falling five days prior to Maha Shivratri was celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety.
In this connection religious functions were held during entire night in various temples and shrines across J&K.
The Hari Parbhat where a grand function was held every year on this day prior to mass exodus of Pandits and hundreds of devotees used to throng during the night of Hora Ashtami also celebrated the occasion this year despite chilly and cold weather with traditional fervor and gaiety under the chairmanship of president of the Sanstha, Randeep Gorkha. The function was held in a traditional way and Pooja -archana and Bhhajan -Kirtan was held for full night. The devotees were served Prasad after culmination of function. They also prayed for peace and prosperity of mankind. The function was organized by Shree Shree Jagat Amba Sharika Chakrashwar Sanstha Hari Parbat.
The Sanstha also held another function at the shrine of Chakreshwar Dhok Paloura Jammu where a large number of devotees thronged and participated in Bhajan -Kirtan for entire night.
A night -long Jagran was also held at Bhagawaan Gopinath Ashram Udaiwala Bohri on the occasion of Hora Ashtami. A large number of devotees thronged the Ashram and the artists of repute presented the Bhakti Sangeet on the occasion. The night- long prayers were offered for invoking blessings of Mother Goddess. It was followed by mass prayer for peace and well being of mankind.
The celebrations were also held at Bhagwaan Ji’s other Ashrams in Srinagar, Delhi, Bangeluru, Pune and Satsang Mandlies spread across the country.
Hora Ashtami was celebrated at KP Sabha, Ambphalla were Puja Archana was performed in which large numbers of devotees participated. Traditional Bhajan and Kritan was held. Thereafter, Samohik Aarti led by K. K. Khosa, president was performed. Later, Prasad was distributed among the devotees. The Puja was performed in traditional manner.
Hora Astami was also celebrated at Swami Kumar Ji Geeta Satsangh Ashram, Muthi where large number of devotees thronged and took part in night long Jagran. Swami Kumar Ji gave religious discourses and threw light on the religious significance of the day.
The Hora Ashtami was also celebrated at Sharika Peeth Subash Nagar where a night long Jagran was held and prashad was distributed among the devotees after the culmination of function. The function was held under the chairmanship of president of Sanstha, M K Jalali.
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