Demands to construction of Saraay in Katra, dress code, concession in heli tickets to senior citizens, 24-hour langar arrangement
DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
Katra , july 8
Shiv Sena (UBT) and Swami Rajeshwaranand Ji Maharaj of Sant Samaj have jointly appreciated the continuous increase in modern facilities for pilgrims by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and appealed to take special care of Sanatan culture and mythological traditions on religious tours.
A special seminar was organized today under the leadership of Swami Rajeshwaranand Ji Maharaj at Shri Rajmata Ji Ashram in Shani temple of Katra. In which State Chief of Shiv Sena (UBT) Manish Sahni and Kathavyas Acharya Manoj Krishna Ji Maharaj of Vrindavan were present as special guests. Swami Rajeshwaranand Ji Maharaj said in his address that there is no doubt that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is engaged in providing every possible facility to the devotees. But knowingly or unknowingly, in the race for facilities, Sanatan culture and traditions are being ignored.
Rajeshwaranand Ji Maharaj has demanded to implement the dress code according to Sanatani traditions on Vaishno Devi Yatra. Along with this, the heads of the visitors should be covered during darshan in Vaishno Devi cave/Bhavan premises. After the darshan of the goddess, the facility of Kanya Pujan should be available for the devotees in the Bhawan premises itself. At the same time, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Manish Sahni said that in the race for facilities today, there is no difference between religious and Holy Shaktipeeths and tourist places. Sahni demanded to limit the Panchhi helicopter service from Jammu to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Darbar to the needy only. Along with this, they demanded to give priority to senior citizens for darshan and to give special discounts in helicopter fare. Sahni has demanded from the Shrine Board to build an Saraay for the devotees to stay in Katra and to arrange for 24-hour langar facility. Bansi Lal Sharma of Mazdoor Dastkar Union demanded free medical facilities to the horse and porter services. After the meeting, all the guests expressed deep anger over the incident of vandalism done by miscreants in the ancient Hanuman temple in Narayan-Khu village of Nagarota late Saturday evening and openly warned that such incidents will not be tolerated. On this occasion, Women Wing President Meenakshi Chhibber, Vikas Bakshi, Ashu Kumar, spokesperson Ram Vohra, Rahul, Vice President of Mazdoor Dastkar Union Bansi Lal Sharma and many intellectuals of Shri Rajmata Ji Temple Group were present.
