ARVIND SHARMA / AAtif Qayoom
Srinagar/Jammu, Oct 23: Mahanavami, which marks the culmination of nine day long Navratra festival, was celebrated today across the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir with religious fervor and enthusiasm. Since early morning devotees in huge numbers thronged the temples across the city to pay their obeisance.
The historic Bawe Wali Mata Temple at Bahu Fort, Jammu, witnessed heavy rush of devotees as long queues were seen since early morning. Ques of men and women devotees at the historic temple spanned from the parking area up to the temple premises.
Devotees in large numbers visited the holy Tawi River and the Ranbir Canal post dawn to immerse the holy ‘Saakh’.
As per the Hindu rituals and belief, people sow the holy ‘Saakh’ in their homes on the first Navratra and immerse it in the flowing water on the ninth Navratra i.e Mahanavami.
It is believed that the growth of the holy ‘Saakh’ symbolises the well being and prosperity in one’s home. To avoid pollution in River Tawi, the volunteers of various organisations guided the people who were coming to immerse the holy ‘Saakh’.
The volunteers, throughout the day, made sure that the polythenes are not thrown in the River Tawi along with the immersion of ‘Saakh’ so that the holy Tawi River also known as ‘Suryaputri’ is not polluted.
The devotees also performed ‘Kanjak Pujan’ at the temples of the Goddess Durga across Jammu. During the nine day long Navratras, people also observe fast. The nine day long fast is over after the ‘Kanjak Pujan’.
The Shobha Yatras will be taken out tomorrow from historic temples, Deewana Mandir and the Raghunath Temple. These Shobha Yatras, after passing through different areas of the Jammu City, will reach Parade Ground where Dussehra will be celebrated.
Meanwhile, more than four lakh pilgrims visited the Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine and offered prayers during the nine day long Navratra Festival.
Mahanavami, the ninth day of Navrata festival, was celebrated with religious enthusiasm and fervour by Kashmiri Pandit community across the valley on Monday.
In a display of unity and religious harmony, the festival saw the participation of people from other communities also. The celebrations were marked by special prayers held at various temples across the valley, fostering a sense of togetherness and brotherhood among diverse communities.
Mahanavmi, the culmination of the nine-day-long Navratra festival, is a day of immense significance for devotees.
At the historic Mata Baderkali temple in Handwara, devotees gathered to recite Bhajans and offered prayers for the progress and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir. The atmosphere was filled with devotion as they broke their fast by performing ‘Kanya Poojan’ and ‘Sakh immersion.’
Prayers and celebrations were also held at Ram Mandir in Barbar Shah temple in Srinagar .
