JAMMU, Sep 4: Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Management Trust (Regd.), Gandhi Nagar, celebrated the auspicious festival of Shri Krishna Janmashtami with great religious fervour, devotion and enthusiasm by organising a colourful Rath Yatra and a series of religious and cultural programmes at Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Gandhi Nagar.
The celebrations commenced with Shri Ganesh Pooja and Nav Grah Pooja, followed by a beautifully decorated Rath carrying the idols of Lord Krishna, which proceeded from the temple premises amid the participation of a large number of devotees.
Students and staff of various educational institutions, including Dogra Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar and Shastri Shiksha Kendra School, Gandhi Nagar, along with trustees, members and special invitees of the Trust, enthusiastically participated in the Shobha Yatra.
Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament, and Vikram Randhawa, MLA, graced the occasion as distinguished guests and participated in the religious celebrations and Rath Yatra.
The Rath Yatra passed through various temples and prominent areas of Gandhi Nagar, including Mahadev Mandir, Dhudha Dhari Mandir, Durga Mandir and Gole Market, before culminating at the main complex of Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir.
En route, various organizations and devotees made arrangements for refreshments, drinking water, cold drinks and Prashad for the procession of the devotees.
Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament, highlighted the enduring relevance of Lord Krishna’s teachings and appreciated the Trust for organizing the Janmashtami celebrations with devotion and grandeur.
Vikram Randhawa, MLA, Bahu, lauded the Trust for upholding the traditions and promoting the values among the younger generation.
The celebrations were held under the leadership of V.K. Abrol, President of Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Management Trust, who reaffirmed the Trust’s commitment to preserving the temple’s rich religious and cultural traditions. He appealed to the devotees to follow the preachings of Lord Krishna and the holy Gita.
Special arrangements were made by the Trust to ensure the smooth movement of devotees and minimise crowding during the various programmes. The temple complex was beautifully decorated for the pious occasion, while the specially designed Selfie Point remained a major attraction for devotees and visiting families.
At the sacred hour of Lord Krishna’s birth, Maha Aarti was performed with great devotion, followed by the distribution of Prashad among the devotees present in the temple complex.
Prominent among those present were S.C. Rekhi (Gen.Secy), Karan Singh, Adv. Gambhir Dev Singh Charak,Romesh Thakur, P.C. Gupta, Kapil Slathia, Ved Verma, Prashant Sharma, Krishan P. Gupta,Sumesh Damral, Sandeep Singh, Tarun Gupta, Col. Pushaphas Sharma, Kiran Rajput, Uma Sharmaa, KB Magotra,Prem Sharma, Pankul Vaid, Indu Bhushan Sharma, Ashok Gupta,besides trustees, members, devotees, students and staff of participating educational institutions.
The Trust expressed gratitude to all trustees, volunteers, participating institutions and devoteeswhose wholehearted support ensured the successful and peaceful celebration of Shri Krishna Janmashtami.