Kangra remembers quake victims of 1905
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, April 4
Thousands of people took part in special prayers at temples and
churches across the district today in remembrance of those who died
in the major earthquake that rocked the area exactly 100 years ago
and prayed that such a calamity does not revisit them.

A special multi-community prayer was held at the St John's Church on
the McLeodganj road and a two-minute silence was observed in memory
of those who died in the earthquake in 1905.

Hundreds of people thronged Brajeshwari Temple in Kangra and Jwalaji
temple in Jwalamukhi to take part in "Shanti Havans", to seek the
Goddess' blessings so that the region is saved from all natural
calamities, especially earthquakes.

In the evening, residents of Kangra town, along with members of
different NGOs, lighted candles at the Municipal Committee grounds
and prayed for the well-being of the region. Sub-Divisional
Magistrate R. Selvan also attended the function.

Earlier, a workshop on the retrofitting of existing building to make
them earthquake-resistant and social awareness was held in Kangra.
Divisional Tourism Planner P.P. Raina, Mr Ajay Prashar and Mr Arun
Chandar, both members of the district committee, talked about
earthquake awareness.

Salesh Dutt, priest of the Jwalaji temple, said since we are helpless
before nature, we sought God's blessings to save us.

People also discussed the dos and don'ts to be followed to minimise
the loss of property and human lives.

Deputy Commissioner Bhart Khera said since the district fell in zone
V of seismic activity, which was most prone to earthquakes, the
administration had initiated a series of steps to inform people on
how to minimise the damage in case of an earthquake.

Special prayers and havans were also organised at various small and
big religious places in the district, including the Dal Lake temple