Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, July 3: The revered annual yatra of Shri Ashtadash Bhuja Mata Sarthal Devi commenced today in Kishtwar, marking the beginning of a joyous and spiritually significant event.
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The Yatra began with a grand Hawan ceremony held at Gori Shankar Temple, Sarkoot, where devotees fervently offered Aahuti and Puran Aahuti (sacred oblations).
Accompanied by an impressive Shoba Yatra, the Chhari Mubarak (holy procession) proceeded through Chowgan Ground, Shaheedi Chowk, and the Bus Stand, starting from Gori Shankar Temple. Thousands of devotees, including men, women and children, enthusiastically chanted religious slogans and bhajans, while traditional “Paddari Dance” to drum beats resonated along the procession route. Local communities from various neighborhoods extended a warm welcome to the Holy Chhari.
At the Bus Stand, devotees boarded buses and other vehicles to make their way to the historic Shri Sarthal Devi Temple in Kishtwar. A grand Jagran (night-long devotional singing) is going to be organized today at the Sarthal Devi Mata Bhawan, adding to the spiritual fervor of the Yatra.
Tomorrow morning, a Maha Yajna (grand religious ritual) will be performed at Sarthal Devi Temple. The district administration and police have made meticulous arrangements for security, drinking water, power supply, transportation and other essential facilities at Kishtwar and Sarthal to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for the devotees.
Mata Sarthal Devi is revered as the “Kul Devi” (patron goddess) of the region. The historic Yatra is organized every year since the Dogra regime, and each devotee holds a deep and unique faith in this sacred pilgrimage.
The Yatra is annually organized by the Shri Sarthal Devi Ji Trust, under the patronage of Dr Karan Singh, the sole trustee, and Vikramaditya Singh, Chairman Trustee of the Trust.
Pooja Thakur, Chairperson of the District Development Council (DDC) Kishtwar; MLA Kishtwar Shagun Parihar; Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma; prominent socio-religious personalities of Kishtwar; key officers from the civil and police administration; Arvind Parihar, president of Sanatan Dharma Sabha and Sanjeev Parihar, vice chairman of Shri Sarthal Devi Ji Trust, were present on the occasion.
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