Naran Naag (Srinagar), September 16(Scoop News)- With the return of holy Ganga Charri to Naraan Naag, the four day long 5th Annual Yatra, 2013 of Historic Harmukh Ganga (Gangbal), organized by The Harmukh Ganga (Gangbal) Trust (Regd) (HGGT) which APMCC started in 2009 after 100 years at the mountainous North East Harmukh Range, 14500 ft above sea level concluded here on Sunday after performing Ganga Ashtami Puja, Mahashradha of the departed souls of community on Ganga Ashtami and the culmination of Vedic Mahaygya.
The Yatra started on September 12 from Naraan Naag where Charri Pujan of holy Ganga Charri was performed at historic Naran Naag temple and after trekking 18km long hilly terrain Holy Charri reached Gangbal where Charri was installed and Ganga Puja performed amid religious fervor.
The pilgrims also performed Mahashardha of the martyrs and all the departed souls of the community on the banks of holy Harmukh Ganga (Gangbal) where all the pilgrims participated besides performing sharadha of their ancestors, Vinod Pandit Chairman APMCC and General Secretary of the Gangbal Trust said.
Giving details of the yatra King Bharati, Vice President of Gangbal Trust and National Spokesperson APMCC said this year the sole trust Harmukh Ganga Gangbal Trust (Regd) (HGGT) oganised the 5th annual Gangbal Yatra from September 11, 2013 to September 15, 2013 through proper registration adding henceforth this trust would be the sole authority to organize the yatra’s for Gangbal pilgrimage.
Bharati said that with the trust managing the activities of the yatra, the pilgrimage was managed in a well manner which benefited the pilgrims through well organised system of registration and other facilities being provided during the yatra.
Bharati said that the yatries assembled in Srinagar on September 11 and proceed towards Naran Naag in Kangan Tehsil, of Ganderbal district where they stayed for the night and proceed on foot towards holy Gangbal lake on September 12 for an 8 hour long foot journey after performing Charri Pujan of holy Ganga Charri at historic Naran Naag temple while on September 13, on the auspicious day of Ganga Ashtami a joint Maha Shradha of our ancestors and martyrs was performed alognwith individual Shradha by the pilgrims, Ganga Ashtami Puja adding the yatries started return journey on September 15 after culmination of Vedic Mahayajna.
Bharati thanked the district administration, police force and the Indian Army for their support in conducting the yatra smoothly particularly Capt Ujjwal Patial, of 24 RR (Bihar), of Wusan Kangan for providing security support and other courtesies during the yatra.
Usha Nakhasi, trustee HGGT while deliberating on the issue said that the yatra has seen significant growth over the past five years adding this year lot of pilgrims joined the yatra for which she thanked APMCC for extending all kind of external support.
She informed that Kashmiri Hindus have been immersing the mortal remains of their departed relatives at Gangabal from times immemorial which however was discontinued from last around hundred years. She said that it was APMCC that restarted the concept of annual Harmukh Ganga yatra for the last five years where hundreds have participated till date and taken holy dip at the Harmukh Ganga.
Prominent among the activists of HGGT and APMCC who participated in the yatra included Ravinder Badam, National Coordinator APMCC, Amit Raina, Coordinator NCR, Sunil Kumar Trakroo, Coordinator Punjab and Haryana, Vinay Koul, Chand Ji Bhat, Bansi Lal Bhat, Sushma Pandit, Ashok Singh Jamwal, Ashok Koul, Vinod Dhar, Executive Members APMCC, and officials of the security forces.
Other prominent persons who participated in this year’s yatra include Dr Agnishekhar, Sanjay Moza and Rashnik Kher,
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