Kashmiri Pandits celebrate Vitasta Divas in Jammu

Displaced Kashmiri Pandits today celebrated Vitasta Divas, the birthday of River Vitasta (Jehlum), in Jammu city. This day is being observed for years by the Kashmiri Pandit community traditionally as Veth Truvah –- the birthday of River Vitasta (Jehlum). The Daughters of Panun Kashmir (DOPK) observed the Divas on the banks of Ranbir Canal and a tributary of Chanderbhaga river.

Activists of DOPK and Panun Kashmir participated in the celebrations and paid obeisance to Mother Vitasta, the incarnation of Mata Parvati as described in 'Nilmata Purana'.
Earthen lamps were lighted on the occasion and after performing the traditional 'aarti', the activists performed 'Deep-Daan'. Speaking on the occasion, Panun Kashmir President Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo said as indigenous people of Kashmir, the Kashmiri Hindus are duty bound to strengthen their cultural traditions and take this message to the next generation.
The period of exile has put before us a daunting task of keeping our traditions intact, he said, adding this is a major challenge of displacement.

"We should feel proud that we showed resilience and met the challenge successfully," he said, adding that it is the 24th time in exile that we are celebrating this day on the banks of the holy Chanderbhaga. "We also pay our tributes to Veth Vatur Nag, the origin of river Vitasta at Verinag in south Kashmir," he said. Panun Kashmir, on this occasion, also prayed for those who have lost their lives due to flash floods and inclement weather conditions, he said.