STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: SPIC MACAY’s Jammu and Kashmir chapter on Sunday organized a heritage walk, aptly titled “Purane Jammu ke Mandiron Ki Kahani,” aimed at showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage through its historic temples. The walk provided participants with a unique opportunity to explore the centuries-old traditions and architectural marvels of Jammu’s ancient temples, offering deep insights into the Dogra community’s heritage.
This initiative aligns perfectly with SPIC MACAY’s mission to connect the younger generation to their cultural roots and the world’s rich traditions.
As many as 200 participants took part in the event, which began at Sardaron Ka Mandir, Panjtirthi. Enthusiastic students from Panjvaktra Mahadev Ved Vidharthi Gurukul, Oriental Academy, GCW Parade College, University of Jammu, Cluster University of Jammu, Central Sanskrit University, volunteers of Scouts and Guides, along with scholars, teachers, historians, and individuals from all walks of life joined the walk.
The walk covered several ancient temples in Jammu city, including Radha Krishna Temple (Billu Mandir), Satyanarayan Temple, Gadadhar Mandir, Mahalaxmi Temple, Old Raja Maldev Mandir, Shri Ram Mandir, and Rani Bandralti Radha Krishan Mandir, before concluding at Jammu’s oldest temple, Panjvaktra Mahadev Mandir. Each temple has its own unique history and significance, shedding light on the rich cultural legacy of the city.
Suresh Kumar Sharma (Retd. Judge), Convenor of SPIC MACAY’s J&K unit, highlighted that this heritage walk was the first of many planned, alongside cultural and musical events. He emphasized, “Our primary goal is to engage the youth with the region’s rich traditions, ensuring they remain connected to their cultural roots.”
Deepak Kumar, an eminent theatre personality closely associated with SPIC MACAY, Cultural initiatives of Panjvaktra Mahadev Temple & Founder/Director of Rangyug, also shared valuable insights with the participants. He elaborated on the history of the temples, their architectural significance, and the cultural traditions associated with them. His engaging explanations deepened the participants’ understanding of the region’s heritage, linking the present with the rich legacy of the past.
Mukul Magotra, Curator of the Dogra Art Museum, and Ajay Khajuria, Professor of Practice at MIET, also contributed to the walk by offering additional context on the art, architecture, and cultural symbolism embedded in the region’s temples. Their insights further enriched the experience for all attendees.
At the culmination of the event at Panjvaktra Mahadev Mandir, renowned classical singer Pankaj Pradhan performed a soulful bhajan, leaving participants in a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. His melodious rendition added a divine touch to the conclusion of the heritage walk.
Expressing gratitude, Suresh Kumar Sharma added, “Today’s walk was a journey through Jammu’s ancient temples, reconnecting us with our heritage. These temples are living symbols of our history, architecture, and spirituality. I thank all participants and volunteers for their enthusiasm in preserving our rich cultural heritage for future generations.”
During the walk, students were informed about Comrade Dhanwantri, a freedom fighter from Jammu’s Kali Jani area who played a key role in India’s independence movement. His inspiring story was shared, and his home was shown to the participants, connecting the younger generation to his legacy of patriotism. Students expressed deep appreciation after visiting the temples and vowed to uphold and cherish their cultural heritage.
Members of civil society also participated, reflecting a shared commitment to preserving Jammu’s heritage. Prominent participants included Deepak Sharma, Harminder Sharma, Rajinder Gupta, Jagmohan Gupta, Ravi Kant Khajuria, Raj Kumar Behrupia, Er. Amarjeet Singh, Dr. Vikas Padha, Prof. Sachin Gupta, Yogesh Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Ashish Sharma, Gourav Gupta, and Anil Gupta.