Excelsior Correspondent
—Excelsior/Rakesh
JAMMU, Sept 7: The Vitasta Divas (Veth Truvah) was celebrated with traditional religious fervour and gaiety today. In this connection functions were held at different places which were attended by a large number of devotees.
The Daughters of Panun Kashmir observed the Vitasta Divas today on the banks of Ranbir Canal, Jammu – a tributary of River Chanderbhaga. This day is being observed by the Kashmiri Pandit community traditionally as Veth Truvah -the birthday of River Vitasta (Jehlum) for the last thousands of years. The activists of DOPK and Panun Kashmir participated in the programme and paid obeisance to Mother Vitasta, the incarnation of Mata Parvati as described in the Nilmata Purana.
Earthen lamps (deepaks) were lighted on the occasion and after performing the traditional Aarti, the activists performed the Deep-Daan. The programme among others was attended by the President of Panun Kashmir, Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, Virender Raina, National Spokesperson PK, J.L.Kaul its vice president, the Chairperson of DOPK, Mohini Raina, Upinder Kaul, general secretary, Vimla Chrungoo, secretary DOPK, Kamal Bagati, organising secretary, N.M.Gadroo, Sarojini Kuchroo, K.K.Kaul, Raj Mohan and Sameer Bhat. The participants raised slogans of Har Har Vitastey on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president P K said that as indigenous people of Kashmir, the Kashmiri Hindus are duty bound to strengthen their cultural traditions and take this message to the next generation. The period of exile has put before us a daunting task of keeping our traditions intact. This is a major challenge of displacement. “We should feel proud that we showed resilience and met the challenge successfully. It is the 24th time in exile that we are celebrating this day on the banks of holy Chanderbhaga. We also pay our tributes to Veth Vatur Nag, the origin of river Vitasta at Verinag in South Kashmir”, he added.
Panun Kashmir, on this occasion, prayed for those who lost their lives due to the flash floods and the inclement weather conditions. It urged the Government to take all necessary measures to provide succor to the affected people in the State.
Virender Raina said that P K on this day reiterates its demand for the establishment of a separate homeland in Kashmir for the displaced Kashmiri Hindus with Union Territory status having free and full flow of the Indian constitution.
In connection with celebration of Veth Truvah a grand function was organized by Vitasta Devasthan Prabandhak Committee (Verinag) at Kral Bab Ashram, Bantalab, near here. A Maha Yagya was performed on the occasion which started yesterday evening and culminated with Puranahuti. The devotees were served with prashad after Puranahuti.
The Committee was celebrating the birthday of Goddess Vitasta at the original place Veth Vatur Naag at Veerinag in Kashmir Valley but due to incessant rains and flash floods this year the function was held at Jammu.
As per Hindu mythology the Vitasta is believed that Vitasta is the virgin form of Goddess Paarvati and after her marriage to Lord Shiva she attained the form of spiritual water at Veerinag which is at one km distance from the Veth Vatur spring.
The Hawan was performed under the supervision of Bushan Lal Pandita while H N Pandita and Moti Lal Kaul were the Yajmans. This year the traditional flag was hoisted by Veena Bhat who was the highest bidder among the devotees.
The devotees on the occasion demanded renovation of Shiv temple at Omoh Veerinag, construction of two Yagyashalas one each at Vitasta and Omoh Shrines, two Dharamshalas at Vitasta including kitchen and bathrooms etc and one kitchen and bath rooms at Omooh. They also demanded a police check post be installed at Vitasta shrine and land belonging to revenue records be restored to both the shrines.
Others present on the occasion included R K Bhat general secretary of the Committee, Shamboo Nath Bhat, Piyara Lal Kaul, M K Raina, B K Bhat and others.
Another function was organized by Vitasta Samaj Sewa at Nagrota today under the chairmanship of Chand Ji Khar founder president of the organization.
The devotees recited Bhajan -Kirtan and performed Aarti of Maa Vitasta on the occasion. Later prashad was also served to devotees.
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