Early Times Report
Jammu, Jun 17: To mark the celebrations of 193th Raj Tilak Divas of Maharaja Gulab Singh an impressive function was organized on the right Bank of River Chenab, Jia Pota Ghat, in Akhnoor today, an official statement said today.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab had solemnized the coronation of Raja Gulab Singh as Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir at Jia Pota on June 17, 1822.
The function started with the offerings of floral tribute by Minister Sham Lal Sharma followed by MP, Jugal Kishore Sharma to the portrait of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Raja Gualb Singh. The picture portrays the ceremony in which, 'the Lion of Punjab', himself applied Raj Tilak to his most trusted Dogra General Gualb Singh and anointed him Raja of Jammu on this day 193 years ago at the Northern Bank of River Chenab under a shady 'Jeo Pota Tree' (as pious as Bodhi Tree at Bodhgaya under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Bodhi Tree still survives whereas Jeo Pota tree was swept away in 1958 floods), thus laying the foundation of later years Jammu & Kashmir. Priests of Dharmarth Trust performed the rituals. The function was conducted by Raj Tilak Celebration Committee Akhnoor headed by Th. K P Singh as its Chairman. (Jeo Pota now is a tourist resort of historical eminence). While remembering the role of Maharaja Gulab Singh in the formation of an independent State of Jammu & Kashmir, K P Singh, the Chairman, said that on 17 June 1822 Maharaja Ranjit Singh made him ruler of Jammu at this historic site where we all are sitting. |
