Katyayani temple re-opened after 22 yrs

Kakran (Kulgam), Oct 17: All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee (APMCC) reopened the historical Mata Katyayani temple after 22 years here in south Kashmir on Wednesday.
 A spokesman of the APMCC in a statement here said Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, MLA Kulgam  M Y Tarigami, , BJP National Spokesperson Minakshi Lekhi and Shyama Sondi attended the Puran Ahutiand Murti Sthapna.
 “The temple which was completely damaged was reconstructed by APMCC with the two Murtis being installed which were gifted by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who was expected to visit the shrine but could not attend the function   due to his preoccupation,” he said. “Shyama Sondi a close aide of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar represented the Art of Living Organization and attended the Puran Ahuti and Murti Sthapna.”
 Speaking on the occasion APMCC Chairman Vinod Pandit said the reconstruction programme was initiated on war footing so that the pristine glory of the temple is restored before the onset of winter.
 He said that APMCC was committed to reopen and reconstruct all the damaged temples of the Kashmir Valley adding next year APMCC would start the historical Mahadev Yatra in Srinagar.
 The idols of Mata Sheranwali, LordGanesha were installed while the temple of Lord Shiva and MataKatyayani were refurbished and a yagay shalla reconstructed.
 The Havan started on October 16 and culminated on October 17 after installation of the idols.
 Prominent among those who attended the function included Capt Narayan Singh, the person who had originally constructed the new temple three decades back, King C Bharati, senior journalist, Chairman RK Bharati Foundation, & KTT, Swami Kumar, Swami Nityanand from Gujrat, Yoginder Singh, Sandeep Bhat, APMCC Kashmir In charge, Chand Ji Bhat,Ashok Singh, Mahinder Singh, Sohan Singh, Vinay Koul, Bita Gosain, JL Pandita and Shashi Bharati.