news details |
|
|
| Rare CBM: PoK’s Hindu pilgrims in Katra | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Apr 7
In a unique Confidence Building Measure of its kind, driven by spirituality, a group of Hindu pilgrims from Pakistan occupied Kashmir today reached for paying obeisance at the case shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.
This is first time in the recent years that pilgrims have come from the other side of divide to pay obeisance at a Hindu case shrine here. Even as they were warmly received by the locals, their visit is being seen as a new beginning toward people to people contacts on both sides of divide.
Dancing to the sound of drum beats pilgrims draped in colorful dresses began their 13 km mountainous trek amid showering of flower petals by enthusiastic crowd in the local market. The pilgrims are visiting cave shrine for the first time and hail from Sind in Pakistan.
Businessman from Pakistan Vijesh Kumar said," a group of 52 pilgrims from Pakistan are presently visiting Mata Vaishno Devi for the first time" He said they celebrate Navratra festival in Pakistan but in India they are enjoying i t differently.He said if given a chance they will come again along with their families again and also prayed for improving friendly ties between India and Pakistan.
Another pilgrims accompanying Vijesh Kumar Diwan Chand, I am feeling as if i am spiritually charged from inside before beginning the trek, he added.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made by security personnel to prevent any militant strike in and around cave shrine during nine day long navratra festival. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
