Excelsior Correspondent
BHADARWAH, Apr 14: The three day unique Baisakhi festival showcasing ancient Nag Culture today culminated at 2100 years old Vasuki Nag temple in Gatha area of mountainous Bhadarwah valley with full religious fervour and gaiety.
This festival marks the beginning of spring in this hilly region and was celebrated for three days at different places symbolising the ancient Naga cult of Bhadarwah.
The first celebration was held on April 12 at Subar Dhar, 30 kms from Bhadarwah.
On this occasion doors of 1600-year-old Subar Nag temple were thrown open.
Thousands of Nag devotees thronged Subar Nag temple to pay obeisance to the deity.
On the second day, April 13, doors of another ancient Nag Temple located in the dense woods on a hilltop known as Nagni Mata temple were opened for devotees.
About 11,000 pilgrims from across J&K and elsewhere also reached Baghwati Nagni Devi Temple to seek blessings of the deity and they also participated in traditional Dheku Dance.
Today on the final day of Baisakhi festival people from all walks of life thronged ancient Ghatha Temple in which resides the main deity of Naga cult – The Vasuki Nag and is considered the house of Nag deity.
People were seen in traditional and colourful dresses greeting one another and seeking blessings of Vasuki Nag.
“Every year on the following day of Lohri festival the idols of Lord Vasuki are covered with quilts and according to local belief, the serpentine God travels to ‘Patal Lok’ and after three months of hiatus, returns back on the eve of Baisakhi for eagerly awaiting devotees,” said Thakur Yudhvir Singh Baloria, BDC member Bhadarwah East.
Local demanded showcasing this unique Nag culture to promote this festival as a major tourist attraction.
“Bhadarwah has got enough potential to be developed as a major pilgrimage destination but till now neither government nor tourism departments have done anything concrete in this direction,” said a young devotee Pratibha Rajput.
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