Wednesday, 17 May 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Kartik Swami and Anusuya temples will be connected to the tourism circuit, said the Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj. He said this during the 108 Balampuri Shankh Puja and Hawan organised at Kartik Swami temple on the Kronch mountain in Rudraprayag district by the Tourism department on Tuesday.
The minister participated with the priests from south India who conducted the special ritual worship at the shrine on the occasion. He said that it is believed that after circumambulating the earth, lord Kartikeya reached this site when his brother lord Ganesha was adjudged the best. Miffed at his mother goddess Parvati for this, Kartikeya undertook penance at this site. After this he departed for the south of India where he is worshipped in the form of Murugan Swami.
The minister said that this is the only Kartikeya temple in north India. There are many devotees of lord Kartikeya in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. He further said that the Agastya Rishi temple in Agastyamuni, Kartik Swami and Anusuya temple will be linked to the tourism circuit and these shrines will be developed from the tourism viewpoint. Development of the Kartik Swami temple here will also generate employment opportunities at the local level. This shrine will be developed so that it emerges on the tourism map. He also thanked the priests from south India and others along with devotees who had participated in the programme.
Kedarnath MLA Shaila Rani Rawat said that this was a historic connecting moment for the people of north and south India. A drone was also used to shower flowers on the devotees on the occasion.
