Grand procession passes through Jammu’s prominent markets; traders and devotees accord a warm welcome
JAMMU: Amid the rhythmic beats of drums and chants of “Jai Mata Di,” the 44th Holy Chharri Yatra of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Jammu and Kashmir unit, departed for the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi on Saturday after religious rituals and prayers at Shri Raghunath Ji Temple.
The grand procession passed through prominent markets of Jammu, creating an atmosphere of religious fervour and devotion. Traders and devotees welcomed the Yatra at various locations by showering flower petals and making special arrangements for the pilgrims.
Before the departure, a grand religious ceremony was organised at Shri Raghunath Ji Temple. On the occasion, Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir president Manish Sahni felicitated several distinguished guests, including Kunwarani Ritu Singh, Baba Chanchal, Siddharth Daluja, Dharmarth Trust secretary Ashok Sharma, Sunny Singh, Adarsh Gupta and Colonel S.S. Pathania, among others. They were presented with Mata’s chunri, traditional turbans and sacred representations of the holy Pindi.
Accompanied by the sacred Chharri and Akhand Jyoti, the procession received an enthusiastic welcome across the city. Sanjay Gupta, president of Raghunath Bazaar, Anil Gupta, Ravinder Parashar, president of Shiv Market, and representatives of Hari Market and Mangal Market honoured Manish Sahni and other senior party leaders by draping them with Mata’s chunri.
Traders also made special arrangements for refreshments, drinking water and biscuits for devotees participating in the Yatra. Upon the procession’s arrival in Katra, the party’s political district chief, Ashu, along with other Shiv Sainiks, accorded it a grand welcome.
Addressing the media, Manish Sahni said the sacred Chharri Yatra was dedicated to seeking the blessings of Mata Rani for peace and tranquillity in Jammu and Kashmir, mutual brotherhood, communal harmony, and the happiness and prosperity of the entire nation.
Sahni further informed that devotees who could not participate in the Yatra due to unavoidable circumstances could seek Mata Rani’s blessings during the upcoming Navratri celebrations by visiting Shri Raghunath Ji Temple. They would have the opportunity to pay obeisance to the sacred Chharri and Akhand Jyoti, he said.
Among those present on the occasion were party organisers from Maharashtra Ashok Tiwari and Vinod Singh, senior youth leader Dharmendra Mishra, Punjab chief Yograj Sharma, Rashtriya Hindu Kalyan Sangathan national president Sunny Kumar, other dignitaries and a large number of Shiv Sainiks.
