| News Details |
| Displaced Kashmiri Pandits throng other abodes of Mata Ragniya in Kashmir on Zyesht Ashtami | | many extend their stay to avoid ongoing scorching heat in plains. |
Manzgam/ Tekkar, June 11, (Scoop News)-Hundreds of pilgrims including scores of displaced Kashmiri Pandits had thronged the shrines of Mata Ragniya on Monday, at Manzgam and Tekkar in south and north Kashmir’s Kulgam and Kupwara districts, to celebrate the annual Zeshta Ashtami (Zeth Aethum).
The devotees performed the Mahayagya and offered floral tributes to the goddess at both the places amid chanting of prayers and hymns in a spiritual ambience.
Interestingly, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, greeted the displaced Kashmiri Pandits on the occasion and tweeted at 3.53 PM on June 10, 19, “Zyesht Ashtami hund chu tohe saarni Mubarak! Lassiv te phalliv. Greetings to all my Kashmiri Pandit sisters and brothers on Jyeshtha Ashtami…. May the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani give strength to everyone and may there be peace as well as prosperity everywhere.”
“We observed the festival with a religious fervor and gaiety and performed the rituals in devotional atmosphere,” said Shah Ji Bhat at Manzgam who prayed for the peace in the world and the return of displaced Pandits to their respective homes.
“After offering prayers to Mata Ragniya here, I intend to extend my stay here in the Valley for next couple of days to avoid sizzling temperature of Jammu. It is really a paradise here these days,” said Roshan Lal Lolpori, who had come from Delhi.
Thousands of pilgrims visited Kashmir attend festival at nearly half a dozen shrine sites in Kashmir on Monday and the largest congregation was witnessed at Tul Mul in Ganderbal district where Governor Satya Pal Malik, former chief minister and member Lok Sabha elect, Farooq Abdullah, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) national general secretary, Ram Madhav, offered their prayers and floral tributes to goddess at the sanctum sanctorum.
People walking barefoot were seen jostling with each other to move closer to temple complex to make their offerings and perform the rituals.
Tosha Ji, a pilgrim, said that sitting and praying here at Mata’s abode at Tekkar is a unique experience and one transcends to a different world. “I have come from Jammu to have a glimpse (darshan) of Mata and bow to her for fulfilling my manat (supplication),” she added.
“Visiting the abode of the goddess here reminds me of my childhood when we used to visit the shrine with our family elders and spend the day in offering our prayers, cooking and playing with other children. It was like a joint family outing while fulfilling a religious obligation,” said Chaman Lal Koul, a retired state employee.
The pilgrims at both the places, who had travelled from across the country, expressed their gratitude to the local Muslims, security agencies and the state officials for making the arrangements for them on this occasion.
Interestingly, the abode of Mata Ragniya is found at half a dozen places across the Kashmir Valley including Logripora, Manzgam, Devsar, Badgam, Tekkar and Tul Mul.
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