Jammu/Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha extended his warm greetings on the occasion of Mahanavami and Dussehra festivals to the people of the Union Territory on Saturday.
In his message, Sinha prayed for peace, prosperity and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Mahanavami marks the end of the nine-day Navratra festival and the devotees are filled with renewed energy and enthusiasm in their lives. I pray that with the divine blessings, may we all steer ahead the task of overhauling Jammu and Kashmir for our future generations,” the LG said.
Highlighting the significance of Dussehra, he said it marks the victory of good over evil.
“The day gives us hope that the most powerful woes could be defeated with determination and a positive outlook. May we all achieve victory over evils, both internal as well as worldly, and move towards a better world,” Sinha said.
Meanwhile, in Srinagar, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday visited the ancient ‘Durga Nag’ temple here on the occasion of ‘Durga Ashtami’ and ‘Maha Navami’, and prayed for peace and wellbeing of humankind.
The National Conference (NC) leader, who turned 84 earlier this week, arrived at the temple located at the Dalgate along with members of his party when priests from the Kashmiri Pandit community were performing a ‘havan’ there.
“This is an important day for our Hindu brothers and sisters and this temple has a significance. I came to extend my greetings to them on the occasion of religious festivals being celebrated here,” Abdullah, who is a Lok Sabha member, told reporters.
He also prayed that displaced Kashmiri Pandits return to their homes as soon as possible.
Dressed in a traditional pathani suit, the NC leader was wearing a face guard in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also appealed to people to follow all protocols of social distancing at public places.
Durga Nag is believed to be a more than 700 years old temple. In 2013, a Shiv Lingam was placed at the temple premises.
