Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 23 : An impressive Shiv Barat was taken out on the eve of Maha Shivratri here today.
It was organized by Shri Ranbireshwar Mandir Welfare Committee (SRMWC) along with Jammu and Kashmir Dharamarth Trust. The Shobha Yatra started this afternoon from Shri Ranbireshwar Ji Mandir and passed from main bazars viz. City Chowk, Indira Chowk, Hari Market, Shri Raghunath Bazar Chowk, Residency Road, Shahidi Chowk, Rajinder Bazar, Kanak Mandi, Old Hospital Road, Purani Mandi, Link Road, Jain Bazar, Chowk Chabutra, Mubarak Mandi, Panjthirthi, Pacca Danga, Parade Chowk and in the end finally culminated at Ranbiresh-war Ji Temple.
Prior to departure of Shiv Barat, Pooja of Lord Shiva was performed in the temple by
Dy CM Dr. Nirmal Singh who was the Chief Guest and by other guest of honours viz. Priya Sethi, MoS Education, Rajesh Gupta (MLA), Yudhveer Sethi BJP Senior Leader, Abhinav Sharma President Bar Association Jammu, B.R. Kundal, President JK Dharmarth Trust, Shashi Khajuria Secretary JK Dharmarth Trust and Advocate M K Bhardwaj.
Shobha Yatra was led by chariot of Lord Shiva followed by various Jhankies of religious / social organizations viz Peer Kho Mandir, Bawe Wala Mandir , Hudh Mata Committee Jammu Province , Dewan Mandir Natak Samaj Mandli, Radha Krishan Temple Panjtirthi, Nat Manch, Trinetra Dhari Shiv Shamboo Seva Dal Parade Road , Bajrangi Akhara and others.
During the Shobha Yatra Jammuites were enthralled on the religious tunes of ” Billa Band ” and the whole city gives a festive look. Various traders, religious organizations of old city have organized Bhandaras (Langars) at various places for the devotees in the Yatra Marg. Mahant of the temple Swami Shri Rishi Ban took part in Shobha Yatra and extended heartiest Maha Shivratri wishes to Jammuites.
All the members of SRMWC took part in this Shiv Barat.
The authorities have made elaborate arrangements for the successful completion of the Shoba yatra.
People enroute greeted the Shoba yatra by showering flowers on the chariot of Lord Shiva. The welcome gates were erected by bazaar associations at various places to greet the yatra.
After performing pooja Deputy Chief Minister flagged off the yatra.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Nirmal Singh expressed the hope that the holy festival will come with the message of peace and prosperity for the State. He said the Coalition Government is working for restoration of peace, development and progress of the trouble-torn State.
He said this is the first Government which paid attention in addressing the issues faced by the Jammu region by launching many developmental projects and schemes.
He said however some forces are trying to create impediments in Government’s way but their designs will fail as they will not be allowed to succeed.
Later Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh inaugurated the annual four-day Peer Kho Mela on the occasion of Mahashivratri in presence of Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi.
He said that festivals present an occasion to foster community atmosphere, besides providing an opportunity for people to break away from their monotonous routines, spend time with family and friends and people from different walks of life.
MLA Rajesh Gupta, senior leader, Yudhvir Sethi, prominent citizens and senior officers of different departments were present on the occasion.
Dr Singh reiterating Government’s commitment towards development of tourism in the State said that Peer Kho is a prime religious and recreational tourist spot for Jammu and concerted efforts are being made to develop it so that it comes up as one of the major tourist attractions in the old Jammu city.
Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi hoped that the festival will usher the State in the era of peace and prosperity. She said the government has already taken the steps for developing pilgrimage tourism in the State and the area is also being developed on the same lines.
An impressive Shoba yatra was also taken out by Sanatan Dharma Sabha Udhampur on the eve of Maha Shivratri today. The Yatra started from Sanatan Dharam Sabha Office Chabutra Udhampur and after passing through various markets of the area also culminated at the same place. The Shoba Yatra was led by president of the Sabha Dr Yougeshwar Gupta and MLA Udhampur Pawan Gupta was the chief guest.
On the eve of Maha Shivratri a programme was organized by Sampooran Kashmir Sanghattan (SKS) at New Delhi under the chairmanship of its president Anoop Koul. The Sampooran Kashmir leaders while highlighting the significance of the festival for the community said it is one of the holiest festivals of Kashmiri Pandits who used to celebrate it with great devotion and fanfare prior to their mass exodus from Valley. They said the community still continues to maintain the tradition while facing many odds and pangs of migration.
The SKS prayed and expressed the hope that the community will celebrate next Shivratri in its motherland in Valley.
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