Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: Like other parts of the country, Makar Sankranti was celebrated in Jammu today with religious fervour.
Braving cold wave conditions, devotees took a holy dip in Devika river at Uttervahini and Purmandal in the early morning. People were seen visiting temples and offering Puja.
On the auspicious occasion, congregations of a number of Biradris were held wherein people paid their obeisance and sought blessings of their respective Kuldev.
Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the sun into the zodiacal sign of Makar (Capricorn) on its celestial path, which is the first change in the zodiac after the winter solstice. The festival is celebrated to observe the day, which marks the shift of the sun into ever-lengthening days. The festival is a seasonal observance as well as a religious celebration.
On the day, an impressive religious function was organized at Bawa Kailakh Dev Asthan, Thather Bantalab, under the patronage of Mahant Rohit Shastri, who threw light on relevance of the Makar Sankranti.
On the occasion, MLA Ramnagar, R S Pathania and Director Agriculture, Jammu, Ashok Kumar Malhotra were honoured by the Dev Asthan committee. They were presented Bawa Ji Ki Chunri and a memento.
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Bhartiya Lok Sangeet Kala Sansthan in coordination with STAP, presented musical play “ Doli” at village Phalata, Udhumpur. Besides, items specially prepared on the theme like “Rati Hiran Bhi Gehlen Chari Paye ” ,“Dolian Sajaiya”,“Dine Jagte Chhaje Fari Laye ,”Jagrana”, Chan Chan Panjeb”, “Gida” , skits , slogans songs and dances were presented to aware the masses.
M L Dogra, chairman of the Bhartiya Lok Sangeet Kala Sansthan highlighted activities of the group, which has so far organized more than 130 awareness programs on the different themes through folk media.
Dogri Sanstha celebrated Makar Sankranti with poets, intellectuals and writers here today. The function was presided over by Chhatrapal, who highlighted the significance of Makarsankranti in Indian culture. Dr Chanchal Bhasin read out her story entitled ‘Masoom’ while Dr Nirmal Vinod, Gianeshwar, Sunil Sharma, Sushil Begana, Arsh Dalmotra and M S Kamra recited their poems.
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