Revival of ancient route to connect people with cultural moorings: Rana
JK News Today
NAGROTA MARCH 24:
Describing Nagrota as Yogabhoomi, or the ancient gateway to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Trikuta Hills, National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana on Saturday called for revival of the ancient route, blessed with most revered temples and worship places, to connect the posterity with their spiritual and cultural moorings.
“Treading the heritage route, passing through Jagdamba Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple – Jagti, Durga Mata Temple – Pangali, Shiv Temple – Thandapani – Drabi, Shiv Shakti Temple, Raja Mandleek Temple- and Raja Nowalgarh Temple – Marh, Drabi, Kali Mata Temple – Gundla Talab, Ram Darbar, Shiv Temple- Bamyal and Oli Temple Chhapanoo-Bamyal, the devout will be backing home after paying obeisance at the Durbar of the Mata with an enlightenment they have been searching all their life”, Mr Rana said while flagging off Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Pracheen Pavitar Charri Yatra-2018 from Kol Kandoli Mata from here this morning.
Amid chanting of Jaykaras of the Mata Rani by large number of devotees, Mr Rana, with Jyot—the holy light—in his hands, traversed a long way on the ancient route.
He highlighted the religious, spiritual and secular characteristics of the ancient route, saying while it takes off amid serene and spiritual ambience of the highly revered Kol Kandoli Mata Temple, the pilgrimage progresses via Nomain, where the Jyot (holy light) is carried by white turban bedecked Gujjars over their heads.
“The example of such a communal bonding where Muslims facilitate the Hindu pilgrimage, like in Shri Amarnathji, can be rarely seen anywhere in the world”, Mr Rana said, adding this is the real strength of the pluralistic ethos of Jammu and Kashmir. He prayed for universal brotherhood, peace and tranquility between various segments of society, saying unity in diversity has been core of Indian ethos.
Interacting with the devotees and the locals, the MLA Nagrota said that restoration and promotion of ancient road link to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine will prove as a game-changer for bringing Nagrota at the central stage of Jammu’s heritage landscape. He hoped this to eventually transform the entire constituency as an economic hub.
In this context, Mr Rana referred to the relentless initiative of the people and said that their support enabled him to get the historic road link between Bamyal and Devi Mai via Oli-Mandir and construction of bridge sanctioned.
He said that he had all along been wondering as to why this monumental heritage route has suffered neglect for decades even though the bliss of revered shrine on Trikuta Hills had transcended continents. “We have been envisioning restoration of this route and the firm resolve of the people have made it possible to undertake the pilgrimage through the Pracheen or ancient route”, Mr Rana said, hoping the effort will get momentum in years to come. In this context, he solicited the support of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, managing the yatra, saying that providing spiritual solace to devotees should be a collective effort. He said a Detailed Project Report prepared by the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has been got prepared and submitted to Governor Mr N N Vohra, who is also Chairman SMVDSB, for development of this route as an alternate route for pilgrims for the Holy Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine which will go a long way in creating pilgrims interest in the area.
“The pilgrims used to go to Mata Vaishno Devi via this route prior to 1947”, he added.
The MLA exuded confidence that Nagrota constituency will also be a major beneficiary of the world renowned pilgrimage, as the ancient route offers spiritual enlightenment to the devotees, thronging from various parts of the country and even abroad.
Rana greeted the people on Durga Ashtami and Ramnavmi, hoping the revival of the old traditional route will be Ashirwaad of the Mata to the people of Nagrota Constituency, which will get much needed economic fillip in the years to come. He lauded the hospitality of the people, saying onus lies on the residents along the pilgrimage route to make spiritual journey of devotees memorable.
The civil administration and the army had made elaborate arrangements for ensuring drinking water, medicare, health and hygiene and other facilities to the pilgrims.
Prominent among those present at the flag-off ceremony included Randeep Singh President Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Pracheen Margh Pavitar Chhari Yatra, Ashok Kumar, Kartar Chand, Vice President, Jagdish Raj Secretary, Harbans Lal, Girdhari Lal, Uttam Singh, Dr. Manzoor Choudhary, Nazir Ahmed, Ram Singh, Sher Singh, Master Parshotam, Habib Hussain, Rajesh Kumar, Rattan Lal.
Besides Tehsildar Nagrota Rajesh Thakur, Dy Director Tourism Sushil Kumar Atri, SDPO Nagrota Yashbir Singh, BDO Nagrota Zeshan Tahir, SHO Nagrota B.B Manhas and other officers, the flag-off ceremony was attended by Pt. Rameshwar Dutt, Raman Wazir , Kulbushan Singh, Ram Singh Sarpanch, Joginder Lal, Shammi, Madan Shah, Natti, Joginder Lal Numberdar, Ram Rattan Sharma, Vikram Sharma, Professor Vijay Dev Singh, Makhan Singh, Rajinder Sharma, Ravi Singh, Master Suraj Singh, Devender Singh, Rajesh Singh, Sudesh Kumar, Rajneesh Sharma, Ashok Kumar, Ravinder Singh, Krishan Singh, Ashok Kumar, Pawan Kumar, Kailash Kumar, Puran Chand, Vinod Kumar, Parveen Kumar, Kailash Sharma, Capt. Bansi Lal, Krishan Lal and others.
