Finally, Bhagwan Valmiki’s idol reaches temple

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 28

After touring various parts of Punjab, the idol of Bhagwan Valmiki, placed in a beautifully decorated bus, arrived at the temple in the Ramtirath area here today.

Officials of the district administration, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbahdhak Committee general secretary Bhai Amarjit Singh Chawla and devotees led by Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike welcomed the idol at the Valmiki temple, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on December 1.

Ranike said the state government spent Rs 200 crore to raise the temple at the place, where Bhagwan Valmiki composed Ramayana and Mata Sita gave birth to Lord Rama’s sons Luv and Kush. He said the six-foot-high gold plated idol would be installed at the temple in a state-level function.

He also held a meeting with officials of the district administration to review the arrangements for the function. He said one lakh devotees were expected to visit the temple during the function.

Deputy Commissioner Basant Garg said 17 separate committees were constituted to organise the state-level programme smoothly.

Meanwhile, devotees showered rose petals on the idol of Bhagwan Valmiki as it arrived in the city last night. Beautifully decorated stalls played religious hymns in praise of Bhagwan Valmiki and devotees lighted fire crackers on the occasion.

Earlier, in the day Punjab Revenue and Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia welcomed Bhagwan Valmiki Shoba Yatra at Majitha along with local residents. He thanked saints and organisers for bringing Shoba Yatra to the Majitha constituency.

He said thousands of years passed, but no one cared to preserve the glory of Bhagwan Valmiki’s holy place Ram Tirath, where he spent many years of his life. He said Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal took the lead in this regard and constructed a temple in memory of Bhagwan Valmiki. He appealed to the people to participate in the inaugural function of Ram Tirath Memorial on December 1 in maximum numbers.

He said the Chief Minister had strengthened the communal harmony and peace in the state, besides giving a historical look to places of all religions.

On the other hand, some politicians were just playing the Dalit card for political gains, he added.

He dared Kejriwal to give just one example where he has made an attempt to do something for the welfare of Dalits as Delhi Chief Minister. He further stated that Kejriwal was trying to disturb peace and divide people on the lines of casteism due to day-by-day declining graph of AAP in Punjab.