| News Details |
| Surya Putri Aarti’ held at Hari ki Pauri in Bahu Fort | | Jammu, September 29, (Scoop News)-As a part of Navratra celebrations, ‘Surya Putri Aarti’ was today performed on the bank of river Tawi near Hari ki Pauri in Bahu Fort in the evening with great religious fervour and gaiety.
Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture, Youth Services and Sports Raman Bhalla accompanied by a group of Brahmans performed ‘Surya Putri Aarti’.
Director Tourism, Soujanya Sharma besides prominent citizens including large number of pilgrims and locals participated in the celebrations.
After ‘Surya Putri Aarti’, the devotees offered flowers and earthen lamps ‘diyas’ to river Tawi in order to pay regards to their ancestors.
Addressing the pilgrims, Bhalla said that Government is taking up several steps to develop Bahu Fort area which is one of the fast emerging pilgrims destination in the State by providing modern lines way side facilities to the visitors.
The Minister informed that Government has dedicated Rs. 1 crore LED lights to tourists at Bahu Fort which will facilitate the visitors besides giving aesthetic look to this historical destination. He said that Government has earmarked Rs. 45 lakh for illumination of outer periphery area of Bahu Fort and Rs. 55 lakh for inner area of the Maha Kali Mata temple, adding that in the first phase, 105 LED focus lights for illumination of outer area of the Bahu Fort has been dedicated to the visiting tourists today.
The Phase-II 130 LED lights in inner area of the Maha Kali temple would be inaugurated soon after completion of other allied works under the project.
For increasing tourist and pilgrims influx in Bahu Fort area, the Minister said the Central Government has recently approved a proposal involving Rs. 5 crore for installation of laser show on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi at Bahu Fort, adding that it would be installed soon by Tourism Department.
Bhalla further informed that Government has approved Rs. 80 lakh for construction of Jorah Ghar, langer space and modernisation of ancient fountain in Maha Kali Temple besides restoration of pristine glory of Bahu Fort. He said work on the projects are under progress on war-footing and would be completed within stipulated time frame.
The Minister asked the accompanying officers of Tourism and Culture Department to display the history of Dogra rulers at prominent places at Maha Kali temple for the knowledge of devotees. He asked for establishing a Photo Gallery at Balidan Stambh near Bahu Fort dedicated to army jawans who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
For boosting tourism in Bahu Fort area, the Minister said that Government has created facilities for pilgrims and tourists like recreational garden, aquarium, balidan stumb, landscaping, view points, tug shop, toilet blocks, fencing, illumination, drinking water besides construction of darshani deodi near Kalika colony.
Bhalla said the place has become a major attraction for those visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji and other tourist spots of the State. He said the pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji first come to Shri Maha Kali Temple at Bahu Fort for darshan from across the country.
The Minister said Government has sanctioned Rs. 3.5 crore for developing the river Tawi embankments near Peer Kho temple which included construction of parks, Tourist Reception Centre, artificial lake, adding that Rs. 90 lakh have been spent for construction of view points and road widening from Bahu Fort to Harki Pouri temple.
Bhalla said that with the creation of high standard tourism infrastructure at various potential places, Jammu region is fast emerging as an independent attractive destination. He informed that the work on ambitious cable car project proposed to connect Peer Kho to Mahamaya and Shahabad basti Bahu Fort to Peer Kho would be started soon. He said tendering and other codal formalities are nearing completion under the prestigious project.
Earlier, renowned artists of city of temples also presented devotional songs which were high applauded by hundreds of pilgrims gathered on the bank of river Tawi.
In his address, Director Tourism Soujanya Sharma informed the Minister that this year Navratra festival is being cerebrated in a low key affair due to natural calamity which was hit the state during recent heavy rains and flash floods in river Tawi in Jammu and river Jhelum in Kashmir. He said due to flash floods and heavy rains, the State have bear losses in crores. He said that the event shall be kept simple, adding that the event is being mark the festival only for the well being of all those who have suffered during the recent floods in the state.
... |
| |
|
|
Share this Story |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|