Our Correspondent
Nurpur, August 30
The state-level Janmashtami festival was celebrated with religious fervour and Covid protocol in the historical Brij Raj Swami temple here today. Local MLA and Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania, who was the chief guest on the occasion, led a colorful Shobha Yatra from the Municipal Council hall to the temple premises. Sanjay Guleria, vice-chairman of the Small Saving Advisory Board, and Nipun Jindal, Kangra Deputy Commissioner, were special guests.
Pathania paid obeisance to Lord Krishna and said that such fairs and festivals were a testimony to "our rich cultural heritage, communal harmony and social bonds". He thanked Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur for upgrading the district-level Janmashtami fair to a state-level festival. The previous Prem Kumar Dhumal government had declared it as a district-level festival but on the demand of the people of the area and its historical importance, the state government had now declared it as a state-level festival.
The Brij Raj Swami temple in the historical Nurpur fort is the only shrine in the world where an idol of Meera is worshipped alongside Lord Krishna's. The people of the area have deep faith in the deity.
Meanwhile, the district administration didn't allow makeshift vends, stalls and merry go round swings in the festival. A large number of devotees paid obeisance at the temple.
Courtesy: Tribune News Service