Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 6: Marking the commencement of the spiritual pilgrimage to the sacred Chandi Mata shrine in Dessa, Doda, senior BJP leader and MLA East Constituency, Yudhvir Sethi flagged off the revered Rudra Ganga Yatra from Ram Mandir in Purani Mandi today.
The Yatra was flagged off in the presence of prominent saints and community leaders.
The flag-off ceremony was graced by the presence of Mahant Rameshwar Dass, Mahant Rajesh Bittu, Dr Dara Singh, Satish Wazir (president of the organizing committee), Sunit Singh Thakur (Chairman advisory board), Hari Singh Thakur (chief organiser), Mahant Balkrishan Nath, Yatra Pradhan and Hari Dutt Singh.
Speaking on the occasion, Yudhvir Sethi lauded the spiritual and cultural importance of the Rudra Ganga Yatra and said, “Such Yatras strengthen the centuries-old traditions of devotion, faith and communal harmony in the region.”
He appreciated the efforts of the organizing committee and volunteers for keeping this rich heritage alive and ensuring seamless arrangements for thousands of pilgrims.
“The unflinching faith of devotees in Chandi Mata and the pious Rudra Ganga is what keeps this spiritual movement thriving year after year,” Sethi added.
Giving details about the yatra, Satish Wazir informed that the yatra commenced from Panch Narayan Mandir, Kathua and will travel through multiple holy sites including Geeta Bhawan, Udhampur, Batote, Doda and Brahma Ghat.
The sacred journey culminates on Guru Purnima after havan, snan and yagya at Rudra Ganga Bhawan.
Devotees from across Jammu and Kashmir and outside join this yatra to pay homage and seek blessings of Maa Chandi, revered as the eternal form of Mata Parvati.
“As per scriptures and tradition, Rudra Ganga is considered as the origin of purity and salvation, where pilgrims perform Pind Daan and rituals for their ancestors, similar to Gaya. It is believed that a holy dip in Rudra Ganga washes away all sins and fulfills devotees’ wishes,” he added.
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