Bhaderwah: Braving treacherous terrain, over 22,000 pilgrims on Monday reached Bhaderwah’s hilltop Subar Nag temple in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir to welcome spring on Nag Baisakhi after prolonged winters.
Situated at 12,000 feet, the ancient Subar Nag temple remains closed during winter and reopens on Nag Baisakhi for devotees, a day ahead of the traditional Baisakhi festival which will be observed across Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
“This is the first Baisakhi festival in India, traditionally beginning with the opening of the ‘kapaat’ (doors) of the 1,600-year-old Subar Nag temple since time immemorial. Devotees from across the region throng the shrine to seek blessings of the presiding deity, irrespective of age,” said Manjeet Kumar Raina, priest of Subar Nag.
Nag followers say the festival holds deep religious significance and is among the region’s oldest, with devotees from across the valley, including Chinta, Bhlaara and Sharora, arriving with holy maces to seek blessings of Lord Subar Nag.
“The terrain is treacherous and the trek demanding, but the sense of peace on reaching here makes it worthwhile,” said Akshara Arora (15), a devotee from Jammu.
Pallavi Manhas, a local Nag devotee, said she visits the shrine every year on the occasion of Nag Baisakhi as devotees believe wishes are fulfilled there, and the occasion also offers an opportunity to reconnect with friends and relatives after the harsh winter.
The traditional celebrations started early in the morning with the opening of doors of the temple at Subar Dhar, 30 km from Bhaderwah town followed by the sacrifice of rams.
The ‘charris’ (mace) converged from different places at the hilltop meadow, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, after a 12-km steep trek to pay obeisance to Lord Subar Nag. Dozens of sheep were sacrificed according to ancient custom followed by the traditional Dekhu dance.
