| Mahant Rameshwar Dass, Munish Gupta flag off annual Chitto Mata Charri Yatra | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 7: Mahant Rameshwar Dass of Ram Mandir, Purani Mandi, Jammu along with Editor, Early Times, Munish Gupta today flagged off week long 8th annual Chitto Mata Charri Yatra from Jammu to Gulabgarh, Paddar in district Kishtwar.
Amid drumbeats, sounds of bugles as well as cymbals and mesmerizing folk tunes being played on flute, hundreds of devotees including women and youth hailing from city and peripheral areas led by Nitish Gupta assembled at Rani Talab, Digiana here this morning and marched in procession with ceremonial flags in their hands. Chanting Bhaints-Bhajans and dancing on the tunes of drumbeats, the pilgrims of Chitto Mata before boarding the buses for the annual pilgrimage paid their obeisance at a local temple in Rani Talab area. The annual Yatra of Chitto Mata, also known as Singhasan Mata, is the second oldest pilgrimage. It made its name in the religious fabric of Paddar after Machail Yatra which started gaining eminence in late 80s.
The Chitto Mata Yatra which commenced today will conclude on July 12. The Yatra will head towards Chishoti from Jammu and then Chitto, on the way it will stop at Leondi for rest tonight. Its second halt would be tomorrow at Sohal Paddar for an overnight stay there and then after night long 'Jagrata'; the sacred Charri shall reach Chitto with its full splendour. While flagging off Charri Yatra of Chitto Mata, Mahant Rameshwar Dass broke the coconut as a part of ritual to mark the beginning of the annual pilgrimage.
Speaking on the auspicious occasion, Editor Early Times, Munish Gupta complimented the Singhasan Mata Sevak Sanstha, organizers of the Yatra, and the devotees. Gupta prayed for communal harmony, peace and prosperity in the state while he wished safe and sound journey to the pilgrims. He highlighted the need of such annual pilgrimages which give an opportunity to the devotees to follow the path of spiritualism. Gupta said that Jammu region is a host to number of such annual pilgrimages including world famous Mata Vaishno Devi and Shri Amarnath adding that it is hoped that the Chitto Mata Yatra would also touch new heights in future and destination would emerge as one of the famous pilgrimages on the tourist map of India. |
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