JAMMU, Jun 30: The Bhartiya Lok Sangeet Kala Sansthan (BLSKS) on Tuesday concluded its three-day Historical Sudhmahadev Cultural Festival and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan at Sudhmahadev with a series of devotional performances, folk presentations and awareness programmes aimed at preserving Duggar culture and promoting a drug-free society.
The festival, organised to celebrate Sudhmahadev Mela 2026, was held at the Government Higher Secondary School, Sudhmahadev, under BLSKS’ 507th Wednesday Series Musical Play titled “Bham Bham Bhole”. The event was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Central Bureau of Communication and the J&K Dharmarth Trust.
Minga Sherpa was the chief guest on the occasion. Guests of honour included Pankaj Singh, Sanjeev Sharma, Som Raj, Rakesh Manhas and Vikram Singh, along with senior government officers and members of the mela committee.
The organisers also acknowledged the support of Karan Singh and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Central Bureau of Communication, Department of Information and Public Relations, Department of Youth Services and Sports, Chenani, and other departments for their cooperation in making the three-day festival a success.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa appreciated the efforts of BLSKS in organising the historic cultural festival and highlighted the importance of preserving the rich folk traditions, music and dance forms of the Duggar region. He said such cultural events play an important role in safeguarding the region’s heritage while creating awareness on important social issues such as drug abuse.
The festival showcased a vibrant blend of devotional music, folk songs, skits, nukkad nataks and cultural performances carrying messages of social harmony, cleanliness, patriotism and drug de-addiction. Special presentations included “Kaun Kare Teri Aarti Bhole Ji,” “Koi Akhe Ram Koi Allah,” “Mera Bhola Na Mane,” “Shiv Nath Teri Mahima,” “Swachh Bharat Ho,” “Mere Hikdu Gadbad,” and “Savdhan Savdhan Ae Bharatvasi Savdhan.” The programme was also recorded and uploaded online for wider public access.
Welcoming the dignitaries and pilgrims, M. L. Dogra and Gurnam Singh outlined the objectives of the festival, emphasising the promotion of Duggar culture and preservation of Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage.
Dr. Dogra also highlighted the historical and religious significance of the ancient Sudhmahadev Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. He said the shrine, located in Udhampur district, attracts thousands of devotees every year, particularly during the full moon of the month of Sawan. He noted that the sacred underground stream Devak, believed to be as holy as the Ganges, originates at Sudhmahadev before disappearing among the surrounding rocks. The temple is also associated with the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, whose birthplace is believed to be nearby Mantalai.
According to the organisers, more than 30,000 pilgrims visited the shrine during the festival to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
The cultural programme featured performances by renowned singers and artists including Usha Raina, Rajni Gupta, M. C. Kotwal, Chahat Chadha, Bindia Okheda, Anjana Sharma, Sona Jamwal, Harshita, Sant Dass, Anshu Balgotra, Poly Devi, Sanjay Kumar Pashi and several other performers who captivated the audience with devotional and folk presentations.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Principal Som Raj, who appreciated the collective efforts of all departments, artists and organisers in making the three-day cultural festival a memorable celebration of faith, heritage and social awareness.