Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple Management Trust, Gandhi Nagar is celebrating this year’s ‘Sharad’ Navratras in a big way with religious fervour and gaiety. An elaborate programme has been chalked out for the celebrations in association with various schools.
While talking to media-persons here today, president of the Trust, Gulchain Singh Charak said the Trust in its meeting held here on Monday, decided to celebrate these Navratras in befitting manner. Every year, the Navratra festival is celebrated by the Trust in the premises of the Temple Complex with pomp and festivity, creating a refreshing religious fervour and temper in the complex which has grown to eight different temples including the recent additions of Lord Shani Temple and Shriyantar and Navghreh.
Charak said the 9-day colourful religious festival, each day represents one of the nine different forms of Goddess Durga, commences tomorrow on October 10, 2018 and will culminate on October 18, coinciding with Vijay Dashami (Dussehra). All the nine days (also nights) of Navratras are considered pious by Hindus and are dedicated to the nine different forms of Goddess Durga. With traditional planting of ‘khetri’ (barley seeds) in clean soil in earthen pots in the early hours of Wednesday amidst recitation of verses from Holy scriptures the Navratras start. This Khetri would be immersed in the river water on conclusion of Navratras.
There would be a `Bhajan Sandaya’ from 5 pm to 7.30 pm during which songs on Chandi Mata would be sung by a special party called for the purpose. On Thursday ( October 12), a unique display of live images of all the nine forms of Goddess Durga will be organised. The School children in the attire of each of the nine Goddesses in colours associated of with each Navratra. The third day will be marked by Rangoli competition from 9.30 to 11.30 a.m. and Bhajan competition from 6 p.m. to 8 pm . On October 14, a competition of Garba dance will be held in which school students in colorful costumes would participate. Another unique competition among children would be held on October 15 in which contestants would present scenes from the holy Ramayana.
The Trust has also decided to give cash prizes to the winners of all these competitions besides mementos. The first prize will be of Rs. 2000, second prize of Rs. 1500 and the third prize of Rs. 1000.
Charak has appealed to the devotees and residents of Gandhi Nagar to participate in the festival and derive religious pleasure from these colourful events. Secretary of the Trust, S C Rekhi and other members were also present.
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