Jugal, Purnima flag off Dev Darshan Yatra from Gadha Dhar Temple

JAMMU, APR 2: Member Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma and Purnima Sharma, Spokesperson and former Deputy Mayor flagged off Dev Darshan Yatra from Gadha Dhar Temple here today.
The Yatra was organized by Purnima Sharma Chief Patron Jammu and Kashmir Religious Tourism and Heritage Cultural Trust.
The yatra was conducted under the stewardship of Mahant Rajesh Bittu ji, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Religious Tourism and Heritage Cultural Trust. Baldev Bilawaria Deputy Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation was also present at the flagging off ceremony.
The Yatra commenced from Gadha Dhar Mandir and passed via Peer Kho Temple and finally concluded at the famous Bawe Wali Mata Temple Bahu Fort.  MP Jugal Kishore Sharma also distributed funds approval letters under MPLAD for the development of temples in the City of Temples.
Jugal Kishore while addressing the gathering on the occasion said that Jammu is known as the City of Temples and these temples constitute the most significant component of Jammu’s rich heritage and it is the duty of Jammuites to protect and promote this heritage constituent. He said that as a public representative of this region it is a great pleasure for me to contribute towards the development and improvement of the temples across Jammu. He assured to keep contributing in future also irrespective of whether being an MP or not. He said that remaining connected to temples is the best way to imbibe humanitarian values which are part and parcel of every religion.
Purnima Sharma in her address said that it is a privilege for her to be part of this sacred Yatra every year and congratulated the devotees for their enthusiastic participation in the Yatra. However, she said that it is a matter of concern that nowadays the footfall in temples is very less in comparison to earlier era as this retards the preservation and promotion of the cultural and spiritual heritage of this land of saints where it is said that goat and lion used to drink water at the pond together. She asserted that in order to safeguard one’s identity it is necessary for the people to remain connected to their roots. Temples and spiritual pursuits being inseparable part of our culture, therefore I appeal to the people of Jammu to visit the temples and temple related functions in large numbers to preserve and promote the rich heritage and culture of the City of Temples. She said that people from across the nation visit Jammu to pay obeisance at the temples and the decreasing footfall of the local populace is not a healthy sign for our society.
Mahant Rajesh Bittu said that this Yatra was continuation of earlier initiatives. He said the Trust is committed to promote religious Tourism in the
Union Territory. He said many such Yatras will be organized in near future.
Rajesh Bittu also expressed gratitude to the Member Parliament for releasing the funds for the development of temples.
Later all the prominent dignitaries visited several temples across Jammu City and paid their obeisance there.
Among those who were present include Jasvinder Singh Kukoo, Sanjay Gupta, Ajay Shamra, Karan Singh, Gopal Sharma, Sham Singh
Lambardar Deepti Ram, Panch Vicy Saini, Sanjay Manhas Ravi Dogra and Narayan Bharti.