Girnar 'parikrama' to begin tonight

Junagadh, Nov 21 (UNI) The traditional ''parikrama'' of Mount Girnar will commence tonight.

The event opens ceremoniously after guns are fired in the air by officials at midnight. Interestingly, over two lakh pilgrims had already completed their ''parikrama'' after the recent Diwali. But as usual, the traditional ''parikrama'' starts tonight on the auspicious occasion of 'Dev Diwali' and lakhs of people are expected to complete the religious event.

The pilgrims gather in the evening at footsteps of Gir Taleti.

Those who will be at the ceremony are district collector Ashwini Kumar Yadav, IG Mohan Jha, SP Shailesh Katara, president of Akhil Bharatiya Sadhu Samaj(Saurashtra region) Mahant Gopalanandasji, Mahant of Ambaji temple on Mt Girnar Tansuk Giriji, local MLA M Mashroo, district forest officer B T Chadasaniya, RFO M N Parmar (south range, Girnar) and RFO of north range S K Jadeja.

The ''parikrama'' officially closes on 25th of ''Karthik Purnima''.

The history of ''parikrama'' can be traced in ancient times and it comprises an arduous 36-km long trek through the forest having three night halts.

UNI