STATE TIMES NEWS
POONCH : The festival of Baisakhi was celebrated in Sikh Gurdwaras all over the State with religious fervour and gaiety. After completion of three day long Sri Akhand Path Sahib, Gurbani Kirtan, Katha and lectures on Sikh History were held. The devotees on this day reached the central Gurdwaras of the area and celebrated it in mass gathering.
The main function in district Poonch was held in Dera Sant Pura Nangali Sahib, Gurdwara Poonch on Wednesday. Dera Nangali Sahib is the centre of Sikhism in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and was established in 1803 by fourth Mahant of State, Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji. Maharaja of Punjab Ranjeet Singh reached this holy place from Delhi and getting highly impressed of its spiritually blessed situation and management allotted a Jagir of four villages to this Dera in 1814 and subsequent years.
This Dera carrying the Godly force, is presently being managed by 13th Saint, Mahant Manjit Singh Ji. Thousands of devotees from all walks of life including men, women and children from various parts of the State, Punjab, Himachal, Haryana, Delhi, UP and other provinces participated in the celebration of Baisakhi festival at Nangali Sahib. On this day the ashes of Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji – the founder of this holy place were shown to the devotees.
After Kirtan and lectures the Ardas was performed and Langar distributed among the Sangat. Besides MLA Poonch Shah Mohd Tantray, officers of civil administration and police administration and other prominent people were also present in the celebration.
Nowshera: Today in block Nowshera Gurdwara Yaadghar Sant Baba Sunder Singh ji Nonial Nowshera Sikh Sangat celebrated Baisakhi Festival.
After completion of Sri Akhand Path Gurbani Kirtan was recited by the Raagi Jathas and Katha was also delivered by the religious scholars including Advocate Devinder Singh. Later Guru Ka Langar was also distributed among the sangat.
KATHUA: The Baisakhi festival was celebrated in Gurdwara Singh Sabha Kathua in which large number of devotees irrespective of caste, creed and religion participated.
Raagi Jathas from Amritsar recited Gurbani Kirtan besides the local Jathas. Guru Ka langar was also served to the Sangat. The function was organised by the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee under its president Charanjit Singh Bhola Daljit Singh, Amrik Singh and Santokh Singh.
Meanwhile the festival was also celebrated in Gurdwara Jasrota by the local Parbandhak Committee including Bhopinder Soingh, Santokh Singh, Dalip Singh and others.
AKHNOOR : On the occasion of New Year of Vikarami Samwant the Baisakhi Mela was organised at historical palace of Jia Pota on the banks of River Chenab on Wednesday.
More than ten thousand people took a holy dip in the river Chenab which as per faith of the locals, has equal sanctity like river Ganga, Jamuna, Godawri and other famous rivers in the country
Baisakhi Mela was organised by the Saint of Sawarg Asharam Mahant Rama Nand Dass and the Ashram committee. Mahant Rama Nand Dass while talking to STATE TIMES said that Baisakhi is the first day of Vikarami Samwat elaborating that on this day number of people also organize Bhandara and establish stalls of eatables for the devotees of the area.
On this occasion Bharama Kumaries also installed a counter for providing basic knowledge of Kalyug.
Meanwhile Students of Shemrock Apple Orchid , Akhnoor , celebrated Baisakhi with enthusiasm. The purpose was to make the students aware about the historical background, significance and relevance of Baisakhi.
They were made aware of various aspects of rural Punjab, its cultural heritage through tableaux showing the sowing, harvesting, winnowing and gathering of crop. Girls who were shown the working on Charkha and Phulkaari sang folk songs. A Punjabi folk dance ‘Sammi’ was presented by the students of the school. Principal Shilpa Mahajan wished all the students a very happy Baisakhi and emphasised the significance of the festival.
UDHAMPUR: Like every year this year too three days long traditional Baisakhi Mela commenced today with great fun at Devika ground in Udhampur. In Mela besides State vendors from all across various Govt. departments also have setup stalls to create awareness among the people.
Deputy Commsioner Dr Shaheed Iqbal inaugurated the Mela. On the inaugural day an attractive cultural programme was presented. Beside local vendors various venders hailing out of State also set up their stalls and shops. Deputy Commissioner said that administration is making every possible efforts to develop the holy place so that more and more people can attended the Mela. District administration had made foolproof security and other requisite arrangements during three days long Mela and Tehsildar Udhampur was deputed as Mela officer to supervise it and to ensure hassle free Mela. Local people appeal to the Govt. to make arrangements for the public so that more and more people can visit and enjoy the traditional Mela also in days to come.
