Directorate of Tourism, Jammu celebrates ‘201st Coronation Year’ of Maharaja Gulab Singh at Jia Pota Ghat

STATE TIMES NEWS

AKHNOOR: The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu in collaboration with Raj Tilak Celebration Committee on Saturday organized the remembrance and celebration of 201st Year of Coronation of Dogra Ruler Maharaja Gulab Singh at Jia Pota Ghat Akhnoor under the overall guidance of Secretary, Tourism Department, J&K Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah and Director Tourism Jammu Vivekanand Rai.
Continuing with its promotional events especially focusing on publicity and promotion of Dogra Heritage and Legacy, the grand celebrations marked traditional homage ceremony to the Dogra Ruler Maharaja Gulab Singh who was the first Dogra Ruler.
It is pertinent to mention here that Maharaja Gulab Singh was formally coronated as the Ruler of Jammu by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, on the banks of River Chenab on June 17, 1822.
The Coronation was solemnized with formal Tilak Ceremony and Maharaja Gulab Singh was thereby, anointed the ‘Raja of Jammu’ under the ‘Jia Pota Tree’.
This ceremony had laid the foundation of Dogra rule in Jammu and Kashmir which continued till 1948.
Speaking on the occasion, Sunaina Sharma, Joint Director Tourism Jammu paid rich tribute to Maharaja Gulab Singh and Dogra Heritage along with emphasis on historical significance of ancient city of Akhnoor which used to be known as ‘Virat Nagri’.
She emphasized on the promotion of Akhnoor Tourism Circuit along with its adjoining mesmerizing tourist spots and Heritage Spots including Shrines and temples.
She reiterated the commitment of the Directorate of Tourism Jammu in promoting the rich cultural heritage of entire Jammu region especially Akhnoor area and its surrounding.
She further added that the Directorate of Tourism Jammu is currently working on integration of Pilgrimage Circuits of Akhnoor with the Tourist Map so that in the Upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2023, the Yatris can pay their obeisance at popular pilgrimage places of Akhnoor as well. In this regard, the Directorate of Tourism Jammu has already tied up with JKRTC for plying regular buses between Bhagwati Nagar and Jhiri-Akhnoor area during Yatra days.
She also advised the locals to align with the Department’s policy of development of home stays. On the occasion, the benefits of HomeStay Policy were shared with the locals present and were asked to take benefit from the scheme.
DDC Chairman Jammu Bharat Singh Bodhi paid rich tribute to Maharaja Gulab Singh and emphasized on the need to explore the immense tourism potential of Akhnoor and also encouraged the locals to come forward and join hands with the ongoing appreciable efforts of Tourism Department to promote Jammu Tourism.
Sham Lal also paid rich tribute to Maharaja Gulab Singh and put emphasis on the need for youth to remain connected with Dogra culture and heritage and know about the history of Jammu and Dogra Rule. He appreciated the efforts of the Tourism Department in promoting Dogra Heritage and Culture along with promotion of Jammu region as a whole.
Among others present on the occasion were BDC Chairman Akhnoor, Retd. Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma President Jammu Kashmir Ex-Serviceman League, K.P. Singh Chairman Raj Tilak Celebration Committee, Bikram Singh Chib President Yuva Rajput Sabha, Narinder Singh Bhau President Bhau Biradari, Sardar Ranbir Singh President Gurudwara Prabandak Committee Akhnoor, Office bearers from Dharmarth Trust, Office bearers of Maharaja Gulab Singh Coronation Committee, Rajput Yuva Sabha members, Veteran army officers along with officials of the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu.
The event was compered by Col. Karan Singh and K.P. Singh. Pooja ceremony was organized and glorious ‘Veer Gatha’ were recited and presented before the audiences.