BILLAWAR: Thousands of pilgrims on Thursday visited ancient Panjthirthi Panch- Mukhi Aap Sambhu Shrine at Billawar.
The ancient temple having rare Panch- Mukhi idol of Lord Shiva dating back to Pandvas period is located on a rock situated at the confluence of five rivers namely Ujh, Bhini, Talain, Suterkhad and Gahuanari Interestingly the revered Shrine Temple is also surrounded by five Panchayats.
Dr. Bharat Bhushan, Chief Executive Officer, Lakahnpur Sarthal Development Authority along with S.P Sharma, Chairman Village Social Welfare and Development Committee, Kishanpur Dungara, Billawar, Madan Lal, Sarpanch, Kishanpur Dungara, Executive Engineer, LSDA visited the Shrine. It is pertinent to mention that S.P Sharma has been actively associated with the development of the revered shrine. The Chief Executive Officer, LSDA was apprised that thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine throughout the year but heavy inflow is seen during Chatter-Chodian and Shiv Ratri celebrations. The pilgrims crossed the five rivers confluence ( Sangam) to reach at the shrine and have Darshan of ancient Aap Shambu Panch Mukhi idol of Lord Shiva.
S.P Sharma, Chairman of Village Social Welfare and Development Committee urged CEO LSDA to bring the area on tourism map and raise required infrastructure there for the benefit of pilgrims. The Pilgrims and Management Committee of the Shrine demanded a bridge over rivers to facilitate the pilgrimage.
Dr. Bharat Bhushan assured to take-up the matter with the concerned quarters so that steps can be taken up to develop the spot from the pilgrim tourism point.
Ranjit Singh, Zaheet Abbas -Engineers of LSDA, Parveen Sharma, officer bearers of Village Development Committee accompanied CEO, LSDA during the tour. The pilgrims from various areas of Billawar, Basohli, Kathua, Jammu and Himachal Pradesh visited the shrine and paid obeisance.