early times report
Jammu, Sept 23: To promote / to preserve the traditional Duggar culture of Jammu & Kashmir , & to celebrate the Sharad Navratra Festival 2025 with Special emphasis on Swachh Bharat (Clean India Green India) , Bhartiya Lok Sangeet Kala Sansthan, Jammu organized 2 Days “ MAA SUKRALA SANSKRITI MOHOTSAV 2025” - A Festival of Vanishing Folk Art Forms , at Govt. High School , Sukrala Devi , BILLAWAR , J&K under the aegis of Ministry of Culture , Govt. of India, in close coordination with Sub-Division Office, Billawar, Government of Jammu and Kashmir (UT) School Education Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir and Shri Mata Sukrala Devi Ji Shrine Board concluded today .
Hon’ble Satish Kumar Sharma , MLA Billawar Jammu was the Chief Guest, inaugurated the festival by lighting traditional lamp along with Pandit Ram Parshad Shastri , Head Pujari , Sukrala Devi, Sh. Jagdish Chander , Headmaster , Govt. high School , Sukrala Devi, Sh. Vijay Sharma, President , Ram Leel Natak club, Surinder Kumar Principal Govt Hr Sec. School Billawar , Lokesh Sumbria , Mandal Pardhan Bjp Billawar, Anil Kumar , Tehsildar Machhedi who were the Guests of Honour.
The artists presented Light classical Dance Om Sankalpamastu , three Sanskrit Shalok from Yazurveda (Manch Pooja). Navratra, shard festival episodes wherein lakhs of devotees form India & aboard visit the holy temple to seek blessings of Sukrala Devi Mandir .The Festival, first of its kind , besides showcasing the various aspects of our folk and culture, unveiled the history , origin & sanctity of Sukrala Devi Mandir. Sh. Vinay Khosla, ADC Billawar presided over the function.
While speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Satish Kumar Sharma , expressed his happiness to organize “MAA SUKRALA DUGGAR SANSKRITI MOHOTSAV” at Sukrala Devi Shrine which is dedicated to mother goddess Mal Devi, the re-incarnation of Sharda Devi. The Word ‘Mal’ connotes ‘Malyudhh’ which depicts the Combat between Goddess and bufallo Demon Mahishasur, in which the latter was defeated by the hands of Goddess Durga. Mata Sukrala Devi Ji is Kul Devi of Dogras. The white line coated imposing edifice of the temple stands erect majestically.
The pilgrims have to scale flights of many steps to reach venerated temple.
The goddess has manifested herself here in the shape of a Shila seated on a Brass Lion with a silver mounted head. Behind it, is also an image of Mahishasur Murdini standing on the body of Mahishasur, the Demon King.
The Goddess is depicted with four Armes & a sword in one of her hands in the ancient temple . Welcoming the dignitaries pilgrims & local population, Sh.V.K.Magotra, Managing Director of BLSKS said our commitment to promote the traditional folk art culture is of paramount importance our organization in coordination with various Govt. Agencies / Non Governmental agencies/ stake holders have been staging various cultural programs to aware the masses the benefits of various welfare schemes including revival of traditional Dogra culture. Over 30-40 reputed artists of the region in their traditional dresses /costumes with clarion call to youth to uphold the sanctity and environment of Sukrala focused on the occasion. First day of the festival has been devoted on cleanliness/ sanitation within the vicinity of Billawar in collaboration with students/youths of the area with emphasis to know our culture heritage of the region.
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