STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a petition filed by Sarv Shakti Sevak Sanstha, a religious body has filed the petition seeking to restrain the respondents from interfering in the affairs of the petitioner committee in making arrangements for conducting of annual Machail Yatra and from changing the traditional route of the Yatra emanating from Bhaderwah and culminating at village Machail, Tehsil Gulabgarh/Paddar, District Kishtwar.
It is contended that petitioner’s organization is interested in safeguarding the interests of the Hindu community at large in general and devotees of Chandi Mata in particular. It is further contended that the annual Machail Yatra originates from Bhaderwah and the holy Mace is carried to its final destination at Machail with resting places at various stations. Petitioner complains of unwarranted interference at the hands of respondents in conducting of the annual Machail Yatra and alleging that they are bent upon changing the traditional route and depriving the devotees of having darshan of the holy Mace at various resting places enroute.
Justice Tashi Rabstan after hearing both the sides observed that is contended on behalf of the petitioner Sanstha that its Chairman, Chuni Lal Thakur was not present in the said meeting, but in the meeting it was resolved not to perform Pooja at the place known as temple situated at the house of Nek Ram Manhas. Though, the counsel for the petitioners contends that they may be allowed to perform Pooja at the temple situated at the house of Nek Ram Manhas at Kishtwar.
In this regard, the stand of the respondents is that the house of Nek Ram where mace use to stay for night halt is a congested/highly populated area and with growing number of yatries every year it has become practically inconvenient to accommodate such a huge gathering in the house of Nek Ram for performing Pooja as Yatra has increased manifold. Though Khajuria, learned counsel along with Chairman who appear in person stated and undertaken that Pooja will be performed by 15 persons whose names are mentioned in the affidavit produced before the Court, which at request is taken on record.
Justice Tashi Rabstan disposed of the petition by providing that if there is no resolution of Pooja in the temple situated at the house of Nek Ram Manhas at Kishtwar in the Minutes of the Meeting held in the office of Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar dated 07.08.2015, in such situation, respondent authorities shall allow the 15 persons to perform Pooja at the temple situated in the house of Nek Ram Manhas at Kishtwar.
