Published By: Kavya Mishra
Last Updated: October 22, 2023, 23:51 IST
Devotees line up for ‘darshan’ at the traditional hill temple in J&Okay’s Bhaderwah. (PTI)
Officials stated the devotees, largely the Nagas, gathered at the 8,500 toes excessive 18-Bhuja temple at Rehoshra Dhar which is devoid of individuals in a radius of about eight kilometers on account of ice
More than 23,000 devotees converged at the traditional Nag temple atop a hill in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district to rejoice ‘Ashtami’, the eighth day of the continuing Navratra pageant.
Ashtami is well known because the beginning anniversary of the Bhuja goddess, also referred to as Sheetla Mata, by the snake worshippers dwelling right here.
Officials stated the devotees, largely the Nagas, gathered at the 8,500 toes excessive 18-Bhuja temple at Rehoshra Dhar which is devoid of individuals in a radius of about eight kilometers on account of ice.
Located on a mountain cross, 43 km away from Bhaderwah city, the temple is believed to have its origins in Mughal emperor Babar’s period.
According to native perception, the goddess is the sister of the principal deity of Bhaderwah, Lord Vasuki Nag and her birthday falls on the eighth day of Navratra.
The conventional celebrations began early in the morning with the opening of ‘kewaars’ (doorways) of the historic temple and the Nagas sacrificed dozens of sheep to the deity as per their historic customized, the officers stated.
Phulail Singh, a temple committee member, stated Navratri is incomplete with out paying obeisance to the goddess on Ashtami at Rehoshra.
The devotees needed to trek 11 km of hilly terrain to achieve the temple, the place Charri Mubarak’ (holy mace) from Chinta, Shourara, Nalthi, Chirala, Sunarthawa, Atalgarh, Rainda, Puneja, Billawar and Baniand Dalain reached round midday, marking the Ashtami celebrations with the normal Dekhu dance.
Shivani Thakur , a younger devotee, stated she needed to wait for 2 hours in an extended queue to pay obeisance at the shrine.
“This festival also gives us a chance to meet our relatives and friends before four months of dull life (winter) during which we mostly remain indoors,” Sundroo (16), a devotee from Chinta, stated.
Volunteers of Chinchora and Chinta village served langar’ to devotees whereas the administration had made sufficient safety preparations for the protection of the devotees, the officers stated.
(This story has not been edited by Information18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
