 Early Times Report
JAMMU, June 5: The annual Sudhmahadev Chhari Yatra commenced from the ancient Panjbakhtar temple in Jammu to the historic Shiv Temple of Shul Paneshwar Maharaj in Sudhmahadev, Udhampur. The Sudhmahadev Chhari Yatra Samiti organizes this event every year on Jyestha Purnima. Devotees of Lord Shiva gathered at the Panjbakhtar temple in the early morning, chanting Har Har Bhole. Mayor of Jammu Municipal Corporation, Shri Rajinder Kumar Sharma, along with Col. M.L. Thapa, Ritu Choudhary (Corporator), and former President of Bar Association, flagged off the Chhari Yatra. The revered Shri Damodar Dass Ji Maharaj, a highly spiritual saint from Vrindavan, carried the Chhari (holy mace) to Sudhmahadev.
Speaking to the media, Maharaj highlighted the significance of Sudhmahadev, which is mentioned in various religious books, including the Shiv Puran. Lord Shiva performed his marriage with Maa Gaura and had the "FERE" ceremony at Mantalai. A special Pooja was conducted at the holy temple of Bhagwan Shul Paneshwar Ji Maharaj amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. The Yatra encouraged devotees along the way to participate in this sacred event.
The Chhari Yatra was warmly welcomed by Shiv devotees at the Kolkandoli ancient Shiv Temple in Nagrota, where hundreds of devotees gathered for darshan of the Holy mace. In Chenani town, the local Shiv Samiti welcomed the Chhari Yatra with garlands and showered flower petals from rooftops.
At the Bus Stand in Chennani, artists from Uttarakhand performed the Shiv Tandav (Shiva's dance) and Shiv Marriage. A large number of locals, especially women, witnessed their mesmerizing performance. The Chhari was garlanded by the locals, including Muslim brethren, in Bashat Village. In Sudhmahadev Town, SSP Udhampur Dr. Vinod Kumar, Tehsildar (Mela Officer) Ved Prakash, Naib Tehsildar Sudershan Kumar, Sarpanches, and Prominent Citizens also garlanded the Chhari Yatra. The members of the Samiti, including Narinder Sharma, Varun Magotra, Ram Magotra, Rajesh Behal, and Raj Kumar Sodhi, accompanied the Chhari of Bhagwan Shul Paneshwar Ji Maharaj. They expressed gratitude to the thousands of devotees who welcomed the Chhari Mubarak along the way and served delicious langar (community meal) in Durgesh Nandni langar. The administration made all the necessary arrangements to ensure a safe and hassle-free yatra. |
