Kashmiri Pandits celebrate Birthday of River Mata Vitasta (Jehlum) at its original source ‘Veth-Vatur’, Verinag, Kashmir
Vitasta, September 18, 2021: Vetasta Devsathan Prabhandak Committee (VDPC)®, Verinag celebrated the birthday of Mata Vitasta at its original place Veth-Vathru, Verinag in Anantnag district on (Bhadra Shukla Pakhsha, Triyodashi) Veth Truvah, (18th of September, 2021).
The Vitasta, Veth Vatur or Veth Vathur, it may be recalled is the holy source of the River of Kashmir Vitasta also known as Jhelum.
Kashmiri Pandits believe that the holy twin springs at Vitasta are the Virgin form (Kumari Roop) of Mata Parvati and Hindus also believe that the Parvati after her marriage to Lord Shiva came in the form of water sprout at Verinag which is at one kilometre distance from the Veth-Vathru springs.
This year on this day Kashmiri Pandits from different parts of the country especially from Dooru Constituency converged at Verinag in Anantnag district of South Kashmir to celebrate the birthday of river Mata Vitasta. On this occasion Jyotshi Bhushan Lal Sharma solemnised a Mahayagya. The devotees were served with prasad after the Puran Ahuti.
Besides Kashmiri Pandits from different parts of the country, the large number of local Muslim population, officials of the local administration, police department as also the Army unit, which provided security during the Mahayagya, also participated in the function.
This year the traditional flag of Vitasta Divas was hosted by Sh. Radha Krishan Bhat of Bongund who was the highest bidder (Rs 21000/-) among other visiting devotees.
On the occasion the general secretary Pt RK Bhat demanded that the government must ensure renovation of Shiv Temple at Omoh, two Hawan Kunds (Yagya Shala) one each at Vitasta and Omoh shrines. Two Dharamshalas at Vitasta including Kitchen, Lavatory Blocks etc which already existed before 1990 and later were burnt down by the communal mobs. One Dharamshala including Kitchen and Lavatory Block etc at Omoh Shrine, Verinag, fencing of area of the land belonging to both the shrines as per revenue records which is approximately 150 Kanals of land at both the shrines.
It has been also demanded that police check post be arranged at Vitasta Shrine to secure its property and sanctity and the produce of Abi-Awal, 75 Kanals of land pertaining to Vitasta Shrine at Sadiwara, Verinag and Shiv Temple, Omoh Verinag.
The other working Committee Members and trustees of VDPC including President Ashok Kumar Koul, Secretary General RK Bhat, Vice Presidents, Dr BL Pandita, Senior Advocate BL Wali, Advocate Maharaj Krishan Raina, Sh Moti Lal Koul and Secretaries SP Veerinder Bhat, Sh BK Bhat, Preduman Krishan Koul, Badri Nath Tikoo, Avtar Krishan Pandita, Omkar Nath Bhat, Sanjay Batarka, Pran Nath Pandita and others performed their duties to make this occasion a great success.
On this occasion among others who participated include former minister and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Ghulam Ahmed Mir, and other local Sarpanchs, Panchs and Auqaf Presidents who assured their all-possible help and support for preservation and development of the shrines in Verinag constituency.
