Jammu, 01 November (H.S.): The grand inauguration ceremony of Jammu and Kashmir’s only Arya Samaj Temple, located at Sardare Chak (Chak Sardar Attar Singh), Mandal, Jammu, was held on Sunday with great devotion, enthusiasm and the chanting of Vedic mantras. The auspicious occasion marked the 200th birth anniversary of Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati Ji and the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Arya Samaj.

On this sacred occasion, a Panch-Kundiya Chaturved Shatak Parayan Maha Yajna was organised, in which scholars and devotees offered oblations in accordance with Vedic traditions, praying for the welfare of the world, peace, prosperity and the well-being of humanity.

Addressing the gathering, the President of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Jammu and Kashmir, stated that the primary objective of Arya Samaj is to disseminate the eternal wisdom of the Vedas among the masses, eradicate social evils and strengthen the values of education, moral conduct and nation-building. He described the establishment and inauguration of this temple as a significant achievement for the region.

The Chief Guest, MLA from Marh Assembly Constituency, said that the intellectual revolution initiated by Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Ji to free society from superstition and social evils remains equally relevant today. He emphasised that such religious and cultural centres play an important role in strengthening moral values, cultural traditions and social harmony.

Presiding over the program, Mahant Rohit Shastri, State Awardee and President of Shri Kailakh Jyotish Evam Vedic Sansthan Trust (Regd.), stated that the entire life of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Ji was dedicated to the propagation of Vedic knowledge, social awakening, women's education, equality and national consciousness. He remarked that the establishment of Arya Samaj gave Indian society a new intellectual and reformative direction.

He further stated that the grand inauguration of the Arya Samaj Temple on the sacred land of Jammu and Kashmir was not merely a religious event but also an important step towards the preservation and promotion of Vedic culture, India's traditional knowledge systems and moral values.

He emphasised that there is an urgent need to connect the younger generation with the Vedas, Sanskrit and the fundamental principles of Indian culture and inspire them to imbibe these values in their daily lives.

Expressing his gratitude to all the organisers, office-bearers, scholars and devotees associated with the event, he said that such programmes infuse renewed energy into spiritual awareness, social harmony and the spirit of patriotism.

Among those present on the occasion were Rekha Gupta, Ranvijay Shastri, Chain Lal Shastri, Dr. Vibha Bharti, Dr. Prinka Vaidik, Dr. Satya Priya, Kulbhushan Jamwal, Lucky Sharma and several other distinguished citizens, representatives of religious and social organisations, and a large number of devotees.

The programme concluded with the chanting of Vedic mantras, the Purnahuti of the Yajna and prayers for the welfare and well-being of the entire world.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar