Janmashtami festival in Nurpur likely to be ‘low-key affair’ this year

Nurpur, August 22

Resentment has been brewing among residents of Nurpur over the state government’s “apathy” over celebrating the third state-level two-day Janmashtami festival.

This year, the festival would be a “low-key affair”, according to residents.

The Kangra Deputy Commissioner is set to preside over the opening ceremony of the festival on August 26, while the Nurpur SP will preside over the closing ceremony of the event on August 27.

Two years ago, during the tenure of the Jairam Thakur-led government, the festival was inaugurated by the Governor. Last year, after the Congress government into power, Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar had presided over the state-level function.

This year, however, no ministers are presiding over the inaugural ceremony.

As per information, the then state government had notified this festival as state-level event in 2021.

Before obtaining ‘state-level’ status, the festival was celebrated as a district-level event.

Former MLA Rakesh Pathania, in a statement issued today, condemned the state government for “neglecting” the historical festival.

He said it was unfortunate that the state government was playing politics with a religious festival, which was celebrated in Nurpur with great religious fervour.

“Thousands of devotees from far-off places used to pay obeisance at the Lord Krishna temple on Janmashtami every year. Successive Congress governments did nothing to promote this spot. It was the BJP governments that declared the Janmashtami festival a district-level, and then, a state-level fair,” he added.

Nurpur Municipal Council president Ashok Sharma said the local administration had not convened any meeting with elected municipal councillors or the MLA of the area to chalk out a strategy for celebrating the fair.

The Brijraj Swami temple, where the festival is celebrated, is located at the historical Nurpur Fort and is believed to be the only temple across the world where an idol of Meera is worshipped alongside Lord Krishna’s.

Built in the 16th century, the temple holds immense religious tourism potential.