Three-day long Sarthal Devi Yatra begins with religious fervor

Devotees taking part in Sarthal Devi Yatra.
Devotees taking part in Sarthal Devi Yatra.

Excelsior Correspondent

KISHTWAR, July 7: A three-day long traditional Ashtadash Bhuja Mata Sarthal Devi Yatra commenced with religious fervor at Gauri Shankar Mandir at Sarkoot here.
The yatra was flagged off by the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Ashok Sharma from Shri Gori Shankar Mandir Sarkoot.
The yatra is being organized by the Management Council of Shri Sarthal Devi Ji Trust under the patronage of Dr Karan Singh, Sole Trustee and Vikramaditya Singh, Chairman of the Trust. The Chari Mubarakh was taken by Sanjeev Parihar, Vice Chairman of the Trust.
The ‘Shoba Yatra’ was accompanied by ADDC Kishtwar Sham Lal Sharma, ACR Kishtwar Varunjeet Charak, SSP Kishtwar, Shafqat Hussain Bhat, Additional SP Kishtwar, Rajinder Singh, Additional Secretary J&K Dharmarth Trust, Varinder Jamwal, Arjun Singh, Manager Dharmarth Trust Bhadarwah, representatives of Sanatan Dharam Sabha Kishtwar and Vishav Hindu Parishad and prominent people of the district.
The locals of various localities warmly welcomed the Chari Mubarak and served refreshments to the pilgrims.
The yatra concluded at the Kishtwar Bus Stand from where the devotees boarded buses and other vehicles and left for the historic Sarthal Devi Temple. The district administration, along with police, had made all the necessary arrangements at Sarthal and Kishtwar for the welfare of devotees.
Vikramaditya Singh, Chairman of the Shri Sarthal Devi Ji Trust, in his message, extended warm greetings to all devotees and people of Kishtwar on the auspicious occasion and prayed for peace, prosperity and well being of all.
The temple is located in Sarthal town of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district in the midst of the Pir Panjal range. The devotees believed that Sarthal Devi is the Hindu Kuldevi residing in Kishtwar and hold her in high reverence.