Thajiwara(Bijbehara)August 21 (Scoop News) –Hundreds of displaced Kashmiri Pandits who arrived here from Jammu took part in Yatra and offered prayers on Wednesday at the holy cave temple of Lord Shiva in south Kashmir . The ancient holy cave temple, popularly known as Chota Amarnath situated at Thajiwara, Bijbehara of Anantnag district in South Kashmir.
Annual festival and yatra on the eve of Shrawan Purnamashi and Raksha Bandhan at Pracheen Cave of Lord Shiva at Thajiwara-Bijbehara was celebrated with traditional gaiety today.
The main features of the festival and yatra were Puja Archana held during the night of 20th and 21st August at the shrine complex. The Managing Committee had made all the arrangements for the smooth conduct of yatra and festival with the active cooperation of district and lo cal administration.
It is worth mentioning that ancient cave of Lord Shiva is one of the most prominent religious shrines of the Kashmir valley. This Asthapan is believed to be inseparable part of holy cave of Swami Amarnathji, which has similar religious importance.
The initiative in this regard was taken by the Managing Committee of Devesthan Prabandak committee (DPC),Bijbehara, to bring the Muslim brethren and Kashmiri Pandits closer through two days festival.
Through this festival an attempt has been made to revive the temples of this Tehsil as well as old brotherhood between KP’s and Kashmiri Muslims said Prof M L ,Malla the President of the Prabandhak committee Bijbehara.
Large number of local residents from the area thronged the place to have a glimpse of the festivities and utilized the occasion to reunite with their old friends presently living in other areas.” We are incomplete without each other,” the members from both the communities said in when they saw each other.
M.L.A Bijbehara, A. R. Veeri, MLC and MLC, Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri also paid the obeisance at the shrine and showed solidarity with the devotees. They also prayed for the peace and tranquility of the state. Senior district and police officials also paid visit to the shrine and participated in the festivities
Managing Committee of Devesthan Prabandak Committee thanked and appreciated the co-operation given by the local Muslims, ,district and tehsil administration, Municipal Committee,Bijbehara and President ,Prohit Sabha Martand for providing all necessary arrangements and facilities for the pilgrims.
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