Janmashtami celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety

(ASHOK KAURA)

Our Correspondent

Phagwara, August 16

Janmashtami was celebrated with gaiety and fervour in Phagwara, Goraya, Bilga, Phillaur, Noormahal and Nakodar on Tuesday night. All temples were beautifully decorated and several tableaux, depicting the life of Lord Krishna, were put on display.

Shri Sindoora Devi Temple of Phagwara is the only temple in the region where the entry of men is restricted throughout the year except on Janmashtami when the doors are open to them as well. Otherwise, it is an all-women temple and the guru at the temple is also a woman —- Mata Sandhooran Devi.

The temple was established six decades back by Sandhooran Devi, a Sadhvi, then in her early teens. She made it a rule that only girls or women could access the temple to pay obeisance.

Sandhooran Devi was said to have started the tradition so that no wrong perceptions were created.

After the demise of Sandhooran Devi, who always inspired the people to work for the unity of the country and preserve its traditions and culture besides promoting women empowerment, her disciple Sadhwi Nirmala Devi managed the celebrations this year.

Panic gripped the devotees on seeing sparks on an electric pole before Shri Geeta Mandir that was tastefully decorated on Janmashtami in Model Town last night. Mandir committee president CR Gautam immediately contacted XEN Ashok Sabharwal who acted swiftly and sent a team to defuse the electric current immediately.