Varanasi: Dashashwamedh Ghat glowed with Akashdeeps (sky lamps) on the auspicious occasion of Sharad Purnima on Sunday evening in the memory of police and PAC personnel.Gangotri Seva Samiti, which holds daily Ganga Aarti at old Dashashwamedh Ghat (Sheetla Ghat), marked the beginning of installation of Akashdeeps in the memory of sub-inspectors Mohit Kumar, Satyabhan Singh, Rahmat Ali, Santosh Kumar Yadav, constables Ashok Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Jitendra Kumar, Ravneesh Kumar, Nishant Chaudhary, fire service driver Teerathpal and fireman constable Rohit, who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty after floating 101 diyas (earthen lamps) amid PAC band tunes.The ceremonial lamps were lit after Vedic priests performed Ganga pujan. The names of the martyrs were remembered with reverence, while lamps set afloat in the river symbolised prayers for departed souls.Samiti president Kishori Raman Dubey said sky lamps are lit on the banks of the Ganga during Kartik month in memory of police and PAC personnel who laid down their lives. It is believed that these lamps illuminate the path of departed souls. Lamp donation holds special significance during Kartik month, and the sky lamps symbolise society’s respect and reverence for the martyrs.
