Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 24: Dussehra festival, which marks the victory of good over evil, was celebrated with great enthusiasm, gaiety and religious fervour across the State today.
A grand religious function was held at Parade Ground, here this evening which was attended by Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for Medical and Sports R S Chib, Chief Minister’s Advisor, Devinder Singh Rana besides several former Ministers and legislators.
Thousands of people watched the burning of sky high effigies of demon kind Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarana and son, Meghnad, to mark the culmination of good prevailing upon evil at Mini Stadium, Parade Ground this evening.
The chief guest Mr Azad, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Chib and Devinder Singh Rana besides president Sanatan Dharam Sabha Jagdish Dogra, performed traditional `Rath Pooja’ to mark the return of Lord Rama after killing the demon king. Thereafter, the tall effigies of Meghnad, Ravana and Kumbhkarana were set on fire, amidst bursting of loud fire crackers. A victory march (Shobha Yatra) was also taken out from Diwana Mandir and special chariot was brought from Raghunath ji temple for the tableau of Lord Rama. The people were raising slogans in the praise of Lord Rama.
While speaking on the occasion, Mr Azad congratulated the people and asked them to follow the principles of the great Rama. He said by taking inspiration from these prophets, “we can reform ourselves.” He said that Dussehra symbolizes the triumph of good over the evil and one should take a pledge on this day to sink the evils and follow the path of truth and service to mankind. He referred to the hardships of the people of this State in view of militancy and said that this evil has also been contained in the larger extent.
Mr Azad cautioned the people from the nefarious designs of elements of destruction and said that they must work for peace, prosperity and development of the State. He said the State was getting adequate support and attention from the Union Government and it was heading towards complete peace rapidly.
Dy Chief Minister Tara Chand and president SD Sabha Jammu Jagdish Dogra also greeted the people on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Minister for Revenue and Relief Raman Bhalla while greeting the people at Dussehra Ground Gandhinagar, said that good always prevails upon the evil. Mr Bhalla, who was chief guest at the function, asked the people to follow the path shown by Lord Rama and take inspiration from his sacrifices and role in service to humanity.
Mr Bhalla performed the traditional `Pooja’ at the Dusshera Ground amidst chanting of Vedic mantras by the Pandits at the site and then lit the effigies of trio- Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkarana. Thousands of people witnessed the function.
Minister for Industry and Commerce, S S Slathia attended Dussehra celebrations function at Gurha Slathian where a large number of people watched the burning of effigies of demon king, his son and brother. The minister joined the function which commenced with the chanting of slogans, symbolizing arrival of Lord Rama’s Rath, signifying the victory of good over evil. Later, huge effigies of demon king and his relatives were set ablaze amid chanting of slogans in the praise of Lord Rama. Mr Slathia greeted the people on this occasion.
At Udhampur, the annual Dussehra function was organized at Sports Stadium with great religious fervour and enthusiasm. Thousands of people participated in the function where effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghnad were consigned to flames, marking victory of truth over evil. Earlier, `Jhanki’ by all the city Ramlila Clubs was also taken out in the town.
MLA Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia was the chief guest while DC Udhampur P K Pole and DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range Jagjit Kumar and SSP Ashkoor Wani were also present. Several prominent persons of the town also witnessed the occasion. In Kathua, yet another function was organized by the local SD Sabha and members of other Hindu organizations jointly at the Ramlila Ground. Thousands of people witnessed the occasion.
At Reasi, Durga Natak Mandli members organized a grand Dussehra celebration function by burning effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkarana this evening. A large number of people from Reasi and adjoining areas attended the function. A victory Jhanki was also taken out in the town which culminated at the Dussehra Ground. RSS activists took out full dress march past on the eve of Dussehra in the town. Several senior officers from the district administration and prominent citizens attended the function.
In Poonch also an impressive function was held in connection with the Dussehra festival. DC Poonch AK Sahu and SP Shamsheer Hussain besides several prominent persons of the town attended the function. The VIPs burnt the effigies of the demon king and his relatives and greeted the people on this occasion. In Rajouri, the function was organized at Dussehra ground near Jhulla bridge where thousands of people amidst chanting of slogans in the praise of Lord Rama witnessed the burning of effigies of king Ravana, his son and brother. Entire district administration also witnessed the occasion.
MP Madan Lal Sharma attended a function in connection with Dussehra at Railway Station here this evening. While greeting people on the occasion, the Congress MP asked people to follow the principles of Lord Rama. Similar functions were held at Bishnah, Bhaderwah, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Akhnoor, Basohli, Billawar, Ramnagar, Katra, Mendhar, Nowshera and other parts of the region.
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