When Dashshwamedha Ghat lit up in memory of martyrs of defence and other forces

Shinning like tiny stars, several akash deep (sky lamps) were released on the

Dashshwamedha Ghat

, on the first day of Kartik month as a tribute to the martyrs of the defence forces in an event organised by the

Ganga Seva Nidhi

in the memory of those who lost their lives for the country. The city has a tradition of lighting the sky lamps on the ghat for the departed souls during the entire month of Kartik.

Hundreds of city folk gathered to witness the grand event (BCCL/ Unmesh Pandey)

The lamps were lit by

PV Ramasastry

, ADG Police, Col Brijesh Singh Saviyan of the of the 39 Gorkha Training Centre, Wing Commander Yogendra Kumar Gupta, Commandant Kaushlesh Rai of the NDRF, among others. "We first thought of dedicating the akash deep to the martyrs in 1999, after the Kargil War. Since then, we have been doing so every year during the month of Kartik. This is our way of paying our tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. We have also lit akash deep in the memory of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and music stalwart Annapurna Devi, who passed away this year," said Sushant Mishra of the Ganga Seva Nidhi.

Guard of Honour (BCCL/ Unmesh Pandey)

Adding to the feeling of patriotism, were rendition by Dr Revati Sakalkar, who sang songs like 'Rang Se Basanti Chola' and 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon' on the occasion. The army band also played the national anthem at the event.

(L) Namoi (R) Dr Revati Sakalkar (BCCL/ Unmesh Pandey)

(L) Wdr Cdr Yogendra Kumar Gupta (R) ADG PV Ramasastry (BCCL/ Unmesh Pandey)

(L) Deepa and Vijay Pratap Shrikent (R) Ankita Khattry (BCCL/ Unmesh Pandey)

Comdt Kaushlesh Rai (BCCL/ Unmesh Pandey)

Comdt Narendra Pal Singh (L) and Comdt Kaushlesh Rai (BCCL/ Unmesh Pandey)