Annual Sindhu Darshan Yatra to be flagged off today

Over 350 yatris from different parts of the country have reached here to take part in three day long annual Sindhu darshan festival at the bank of river Sindhu in Leh township of Ladakh region beginning from June 23.

The Yatra is being organized by Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti and over 1000 yatris from different parts of the country are participating in it. This was stated by Murli Dhar Makheja, national president of the Samiti here this evening.

He said 100 yatris will reach here tomorrow and the first batch of the pilgrims will leave from Jammu to Leh on June 19 while the second batch will leave on June 20. They will be joined by over 400 yatris form State as well. Besides hundreds of yatris including some VIPs will directly reach Leh by air from different parts of country, he added.

The yatris will be given a civic reception here by J&K Branch of Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti. This is the 15th Yatra to be taken by the Samiti for Sindhu darshan this year after it was started by the former Deputy Prime Minister and BJPs Parliamentary Board chairman, L K Advani in 1997. The main objective of the yatra was to revive the ancient culture of Sindh and the historical and religious significance of the Sindhu river.

The Sindhu darshan festival will start on June 23 evening with a rally in which the gathering will stress on opening of Kailash Mansarovar route via Leh. The main function will be held on the bank of river Sindh on June 24 where besides the Sindhu Sanan (holy dip in river Sindhu), aarti and pooja will be held. This will be followed by a cultural programme at Playground Leh next day, said Ajay Kumar Bharti, of Sanaskar Bharti.

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Ramesh Pokhriyal will be the chief guest during the main function on June 24 while senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar who was the brain behind promotion of this Yatra over the years will also attend the programme. Among others Sadhani Sant, Vandhna Pathak, member of Sindhu Darshan National Coordination Committee, Delhi will also take part in the function.