Srinagar, Apr 16: Durga Nag Temple here came alive with religious fervour on Tuesday as devotees along with Kashmir Pandits organised the annual Havan ceremony to commemorate Durga Ashtami.
The sacred rituals, which drew a large gathering of devotees from across Srinagar, were performed amidst fragrant smoke and crackling flames, invoking the blessings of Mata Durga for solace, protection, and prosperity.
The ambiance reverberated with melodious Mata Bhajans, filling hearts with spiritual ecstasy and reverence.
The Havan ceremony was organised by the Durga Trust management under the guidance of President Vijay Bakaya, former Chief Secretary and ex-Member of the Legislative Council.
Highlighting the spiritual significance of the rituals, Prof. BL Zutshi, a trustee of the temple told Greater Kashmir that they performed the havan for peace, serenity, sobriety, and communal harmony.
“We pray for the betterment of the world, Kashmir, society, and the country. This is the message and universality that this Bhavan represents,” he said.
Zutshi said that out of the 30 employees who maintain the shrine, 99 percent are Muslims, with only one or two Kashmiri Pandits performing the rituals.
“Our Muslim employees are maintaining the temple with the cooperation of the trustee. This temple is a prime example of Kashmir’s inclusive traditions and stands as a testament to the region’s rich heritage and a symbol of communal harmony,” he said.
Kundan Kashmiri, Trustee and President of the Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) said that every year and every six months after Navratri, they perform Havan at the temple.
“The Shraddhas, Daibhais, Kashmiri Pandits, and Hindus come here. They worship here with their Shraddha’s (devotion),” he said.
He said that the ceremony unfolded with worship in Kashmiri and Hindi languages, reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural tapestry of the region.
Durga Nag served as a base camp for pilgrims to Shankaracharya Temple for centuries. The trust has been organising Havan at this sacred temple for the past many decades.