MARTAND, KASHMIR, July 31, 2023 (Daily Excelsior): Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits visited the remains of the Martand Sun temple here in Jammu and Kashmir today to perform Pind Daan as part of the Banmass Mela and prayed for peace for the souls of their departed ancestors. Ashok Siddha, the president of the mela Management Committee, said he is thankful to the local Muslims and the Anantnag district administration for extending full support for the conduct of the event. ”We also celebrate Krishna Jhoola and the Muslim community actively supports that festival as well. They distribute fruits here. This is an example of communal harmony and peace,” Siddha said. “We celebrate this every three years, but I have never seen so many people coming here since 1990. We have established a ghat (for pooja) and also constructed toilet facilities for the devotees,” Siddha added.

Martand Sun temple of Kashmir is one of the most sacred shrines of Hindus since the Puranic period. The shrine is also linked to the annual Amarnath pilgrimage and the Chhari Mubarak on the way to the holy cave of Lord Shiva. On the occasion the Sadhus led by Mahant Dependra Giri Ji perform Puja at the shrine and after Sadhus and other devotees are served prashad by the Management Committee of the shrine. Siddha said that this practice goes for centuries together. He said prior to the mass exodus of pundits thousands of people visited the shrine to receive Chhari Mubarak besides thousands of devotees from different parts of the country who thronged the shrine during Banmass.

https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/hundreds-of-kashmiri-pandits-visit-martand-to-perform-pind-daan/

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