Srinagar, Oct 5: Mahanavami was Wednesday celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm at Shri Ram Ji Mandir at Barbar Shah in the City. With this, the Hindu Welfare Society of Kashmir (HWSK), which hosted the celebrations concluded its nine- days  of special Puja. 

THE PUJA
 “The night Puja started at 8:00 PM last night and continued till Wednesday afternoon,” said Publicity Secretary and Spokesman of HWSK Chuni Lal adding that the Puja was jointly performed by Shri Kashinath  Ji of Achan Pulwama,  Shri Badri Nath Ji of Lar Ganderbal, Shri  Ratan Lal Ji of Murran Pulwama, Welfare Chairman Shri Omkar Panjunoo Ji of Khan Kah-e-Sokhta Nawakadal  and others. At the end of the Puja, Prasad was distributed among the devotees, hundreds of whom thronged the Mandir, where they recited Bhajans and prayed for peace and prosperity.
 Giving details about the celebrations Chuni Lal said: “Mahanavami is a celebration of nine days, which starts from 1st Navratra.”
 He said during the festival the devotees don’t eat any non -vegetarian stuff.  “During these days we never eat non – vegetarian stuff like eggs, meat, fish etc,” he added.

DEMANDS
 On this occasion president of the HWSK AK Rajpuri said: “Hindu Welfare Society Kashmir is strongly demanding the Kashmiri Pandits may be resettled in Kashmir with honour and dignity.”
 “Our citizenship may be restored in the Valley, which has been de-linked from  here in the Government administrations due migrations… The J&K Government as well as Centre should take up the matter on war-footing without any further delay,” he added.
 The welfare society has put a “detailed list of demands before the government.”
 The society president said that a “Kashmiri Pandits Development Board  (KPDB) with financial as well as legal powers be created.”
 Also he demanded laws be framed for the management of local temples through Kashmiri Pandits and that these religious places be conserved on heritage lines.
 A devotee Kamlash Parimoo said: "Ban should be imposed on selling of Mandir property."
 Rajpuri also sought “re-opening of “heritage institutions, schools etc which used to be run by Pandits.”
 While addressing the people Rajpuri said: “There are more than 100 families who are homeless and live in rented houses. We appeal the government to rehabilitate the families and make homes for them at Sheikpora in Budgam.”

HAILS MUSLIM BRETHREN
 Rajpuri said: “We have good relations with Mirwaiz Dr Molvi Umar Farooq, Moulana Abbas Ansari and Chief Minister Omer Abdullah.”
 “We are also thankful to our Muslim brothers, they support us every time,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 5 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 5 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 6 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST