Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 10: Maha Shivratri festival, which literally translates to “great night of Shiva” was celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious fervour across the State today while more than 3.50 lakh devotees visited holy cave shrine of Shiv Khori in Reasi district since yesterday.
Right from early in the morning huge rush of devotees was witnessed at various shrines and temples of Lord Shiva. Amidst chanting of religious slogans (Jaikaras) of Lord Shiva the devotees thronged highly decorated temples and shrines and offered special prayers. They also offered holy water, flowers, Bel Patri and other things, which are dearer to ‘Mahadev’.
Thousands of people thronged the ancient shrine of Peer Kho at the bank of river Tawi in Jammu and offered special prayers on this auspicious day. The shrine was highly decorated for the last two days and administration had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth flow of traffic and for security and safety of devotees and other people visiting the shrine. Loud speakers chanting Bhajans and ‘Jaikaras’ continued renting the air through-out the day.
Massive rush of devotees was also observed at ‘Aap Shambu’ temple at Roop Nagar in Jammu. Since early in the morning, long queues of devotees including women and children were witnessed thronging there. The people carrying buckets and other pots of ‘Jal’ (water) and flowers etc visited the shrine to offer special prayers to get blessings of Lord Shiva. The police men and women were deployed there to regulate the rush of people.
Reports from Reasi said that huge rush of pilgrims/ devotees was witnessed at Shiv Khori shrine in Pouni block since yesterday. Three-day Mela is organized there on the eve of Shivratri every year. Langars/ Bhandaras are also arranged by the public and administration/ Shrine Board at the shrine. Reports said that since yesterday more than one lakh devotees have visited and the yatra was going on smoothly there.
Like every year, huge rush of devotees has been reported at Holy shrine of Shiv Khori in Pouni-Bharakh area of district Reasi. Three day Shiv Khori Mela is organized on Maha Shivratri there. In first two days, about 3.50 lakh devotees have visited the shrine. Massive arrangements have been made by the district Administration and Shrine Board for the smooth conduct of Yatra. Langars have also been arranged for the pilgrims at the base camp, Ransoo and near the Shrine.
Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Kumar Sadhotra also paid visit to Ransoo and Shiv Khori shrine today and offered special prayers for the peace and prosperity of the State. While praying for the eternal peace, the Minister said that all efforts are being made for the promotion and beautification of Shiv Khori shrine, which is now emerging as an important pilgrimage destination in Jammu region after Mata Vaishnodevi. The Mela is being organized by the Tourism department and Shive Khori Shrine Board.
Great rush of devotees was also seen at Purmandal and Utterbehni shrines today. Majority of the people visiting these shrines belonged to Samba and Jammu district. Similar reports of celebrations have received from Kathua, Billawar, Basohli and parts of district Samba. In Akhnoor town massive rush of devotees was witnessed at historical Kameshwar temple and Pandavas cave at the bank of river Chenab and paid their obeisance. The temples were decorated befitting to the occasion to facilitate the devotees. The devotees offered prayers to God Shiv Shanker and His family members Mata Parvati, sons Ganesha and Kartikay to seek their blessings. Minister for PHE, I&FC Sham Lal Sharma also participated in the festival there and performed special Pooja. He also addressed the religious gathering there.
In Rajouri town a Shoba Yatra of Lord Shiva was taken out by the people during the day and it culminated at Shiva temple at the bank of Rajouri river. A large number of people including women and children participated.
In Ramaban town also another Shobha Yatra was taken out to mark the occasion. The festival, in fact is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Maagh, according to the Hindu calendar. Procession was taken out depicting Shiv Barat in which a large number of devotees participated. It was organized by SD Sabha Maitra. Reports of celebrations have also received from Sudh Mahadev, Maan Talai, Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Poonch and other parts of the State.
Another function was organized in this connection by Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya (Imparting Education of Spirituality) at main Centre B C Road Jammu today. Newly elected MLC, Rani Gargi Bilawaria was the chief guest while Special Secretary to J&K Government, Reva Kumari guest of honour. The function was presided over by the ‘Pramukh Rajyogini’ of the organization in the State, Didi Sudershan Ji, while Brahma Kumari Naina Didi discussed and taught some traits and ethics of meditation. A large number of members of the organization and other devotees participated in the programme.
Earlier, the chief guest inaugurated 12th Jyotilingam Darshan Mela which was great source of attraction for the devotees followed by hoisting of ‘Shiva Dhwaj’. Didi Sudershan addressed the religious gathering and asked the people to get rid of all evils and preach meditation to lead healthy and peaceful way of life. Rani Billowari his her address shared her experience and earlier perceptions about Brahma Kumaris and this organization but maintained that she has now realized that she was so wrong in her perceptions and assumptions. Braham Kumar Ravinder Bhai acted as stage coordinator.
In Udhampur, 137 Battalion of CRPF organized another function on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. Commandant of the Battalion Mukesh Kumar was the chief guest. The function commenced with Akhand Path, Havan Yagya followed by Puran Aahuti. Shiv Bhandra / Langar was also arranged by the battalion jawans for the devotees. In the town, a religious procession was also taken out by the people and students today to mark the occasion. Great rush of devotees was also witnessed at shiv temple on the banks of Devak at Udhampur.
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