 early times report
Kathua, Oct 13: Dussehra festival is also related to different rituals to be performed. One of them is Worship of Weapons (Shastra Pujan). As joist of this Shastra Pujan was carried out in the different areas of District by different orgnisations.
Kumar Rajput Sabha carried out this ritual in the leadership of Sabha's District President Navdeep Singh at Kathua. The dozens of members of sabha cleaned their weapons, arranged them in a row, garland them with flowers and finally worshiped them.
At this moment Navdeep said that weapons are of great pride for us, for they help us to defend our self and save others from enemies. We worship them for they are very respectiv, he added further. Alleging the local administration he said that he is sorry to say that the local administration is neither issuing new licenses for weapons where as weapon holders also suffering for their renewal for the administration is not cooperating.
The others present Randeep Singh, Vikesh Singh Pathania, Bhanupartap Singh, Vikrant Singh were also present on the occasion.
In the same way Seema Jan Kalyan Samiti members visited different parts of Tehsil Hiranaga and organized Shastra Pujan. During a program organized at Hiranagar, the publicity secretary Master Devraj said that on this day soldiers and the feudal princes clean their weapons, arrange them in a row and worship them. Farmers and artisans too worship their respective implements or instruments. Some also perform this ritual on the ninth day of Navaratri.
He further added that Since Dusshera is a festival of triumph, on this day special rituals have been recommended for nobles and kings. This is a festival signifying victory and valour. Narrating the historical story, he said Before Arjun went into hiding (agyatvas), he placed all his weapons in the hollow of the Shami tree. But on this day when the 'Kourav' army was herding away 'King Virat's' cattle, Arjun pulled out his weapons from the Shami tree and confronted the army and defeated them.
"It is also believed that Lord Ramachandra too slayed Ravana and emerged victorious on this day. To signify these events, this day has been named 'Vijaya dashmi'. This festival was celebrated even in ancient times but with the passage of time little changes are added up," he said. During these occasions Subash Singh, Vijay Kumar, Gagan Singh, Copt Deewan Singh, Capt Uttam Singh, Capt. Suraj Singh, Subedar Raj Kumar were also present. |
