By Northlines Correspondent
Jammu Tawi, January 12:
Lohri- an auspicious festival, symbolizing fertility and spark of life has been
celebrated today at the eve of traditional festival with reverence,
enthusiasm, pomp and show across the Jammu region. The celebration is
marked by lighting the traditional bone-fires at the road/street crossings,
dancing in groups, relishing festive food and sweets by the local traders
and market associations. Similar functions were also held at other towns
and districts notably at Samba Fort.
The main annual function was organised in front of historical Shri Raghunath Mandir
and Samba Fort featuring colourful cultural functions and ambience. Collective
oblations of Groundnuts, Til-Laddoos, Jaggery-Gachak, Chirwas and Rewaries were
offered to the Lohri bonfire with reverence and chanting of verses.
At Raghunath Bazaar the event started with lighting of traditional lamp by
the Mayor JMC, Rajinder Sharma and Director Tourism, Jammu,
Vivekanand Rai in presence of Sanjay Gupta, President Raghunath Bazaar
Business Association and Deputy Director Tourism, Publicity, Abdul
Jabbar, amidst chanting of Vedic mantras. Whereas at Samba Fort the
lighting of traditional lamps was done by the chief guest, DDC Chairman
Samba, Keshav Dutt Sharma, Vice Chairman, DDC Samba Balwan Singh
and Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Anuradha Gupta.
Rajindar Sharma, Mayor JMC at Raghunath Bazaar greeted the people
and wished them and their families a very happy Lohri.
On the occasion, the participants prayed for the peace & prosperity of the
people of Jammu & Kashmir and hoped that 2023 will see a manifold
increase in tourist influx to the UT of J & K. A large number of locals and
tourists also participated in both the events' enthusiasm.
A scintillating Cultural bonanza was held on the occasion which enthralled
the audience. The cultural procession featuring folk dance by the local
artists, special Chajja performance and Lohri Haran dance by the artists of
J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Jammu enthralled the
tourists and locals. The event formed the part of continuous efforts being
made by the Tourism department and other stakeholders to revive the
Tourism sector in the area.
Also, the Raghunath Baazar Businessmen Association had set up ethnic
food stalls at the heritage Bazaar to welcome the tourists. However, the
major attraction for the audience was a live performance by Saptak Group.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Tourism Jammu said that the spree of
events/festivals like Winter Bonanza at Sanasar and Patnitop, Vibrant
Bhaderwah Festival at Bhaderwah, Christmas celebrations etc. has already
added to vivacity and cheerfulness amongst tourists and locals. The
Department shall organize Bhaderwah Adventure Festival, National Level
Tourism Conference etc. shortly to attract more tourists to the region.
Abdul Jabbar, DDT Publicity Jammu said that the idea for organizing
this cultural event was to keep ages-old traditions alive by ensuring that the
festivals are celebrated. This way awareness shall reach a new generation
which shall get to know of our roots.
Pertinently, this was one of the magnificent events in the series being
organized to create awareness among tourists and for the tourism
promotion purpose. Others present on the occasion were Shyam Abrol,
General Manager JKTDC, Narotam Sharma, Corporator Ward no 3, Anita
Sharma Corporator ward no 11, prominent citizens of the area along with
other officers/officials.
