NEW DELHI: Janmashtami was celebrated on Thursday with great religious fervor and gaiety after 34 years in Ganderbal town of Jammu and Kashmir.
On this auspicious occasion, an impressive Shobha Yatra, was a part of the traditional celebrations by the local Kashmiri Pandit devotees from the historic Bedeshwar Mahadev Temple, Nunnar, which culminated at the Devraj Temple in Chapergund Wayil peacefully.
The devotees, including men and women, besides children, were part of the procession chanting religious prayers through the entirety of the procession journey. Both the temples, adorned with flowers and lights, shone through beautifully under the decor.
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The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Police, Ganderbal, Shyambir also participated in the Shoba Yatra and paid obeisance at the temple in Ganderbal. He interacted with the devotees and extended his greetings on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the District Development Council, Ganderbal, Nuzhat Ishfaq; SSP of Ganderbal, Nikhil Borkar; ADDC of Ganderbal, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani; and local PRIs also participated in the Yatra, extending their greetings to the local Pandits.
The resident Kashmiri pandits, whose community had been made to flee in an exodus, on this occasion expressed their gratitude towards the district administration and local community for their support.
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Pertinently, foolproof arrangements were put in place by the district administration and police for the successful celebration of Janmashtami and the peaceful procession of the Shoba Yatra.
Several NGOs, civil societies, police officials and locals greeted the pandits, offering sweets, water and fruits among the participating devotees, displaying a picture perfect depiction of Ganderbal town’s unity among its denizens.