Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Mar 25: Like other parts of the country, the festival of Ramnavmi -the birthday of Lord Rama was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across Jammu region today.
To mark the celebrations, an impressive Shoba yatra was taken out in City of Temples today which started from historic Raghunath temple in the heart of the City where from the Swari of Lord Rama, Laxman and Sita was taken out in the traditional chariot which was fully decorated.
Over 20 tableaus depicting various aspects of Lord Rama’s, role of Hanuman, Laxman and Sita formed the part of Shoba yatra which were taken out on decorated tractor trolleys and other four wheelers. This year’s yatra was unique in various aspects.
The main attractions of it were motor cycle riders by Team Jammu, five feet high-burning Agarbatti to spread the fragrance all around, brass band & horse riders preceding the Rath. All the participants were attired in traditional Dogri dresses. Another attraction was that the management of almost all the temples including the temples and shrines managed by the Dharmarth Trust, participated in this magnificent yatra.
Jhankies led by the Royal Rath after passing through various bazars of Jammu city,viz Residency Road, Rajinder Bazar, Kanak Mandi, City Chowk, Puranimandi, Link Road, Jain Bazar, Chowk Chabutra, Panjtirthi, Mubarak Mandi, Moti Bazar and Raj Tilak Road culminated at Shree Raghunath Temple after returning via Pacca Danga, Parade and Raghunath Bazar . There was a beeline of devotees enroute waiting to pay obeisance to Lord Rama, Sita and Laxman. The people were also waiting on roof tops of their houses and shops to have a glimpse of Lord Rama and the Royal Rath. The devotees were seen showering flowers on the Shoba Yatra.
Various Bazar associations had erected welcome gates to greet the yatra. The Raghunath bazaar was specially decorated to befit the occasion. The bazaar associations and various voluntary organisations had made arrangements of serving water, soft drinks fruit and Prashad to devotees enroute who were reciting ‘bhajans’ in praise of Lord Rama and dancing in the devotion of Lord.
Maintaining age old and traditional brotherhood for which Jammu has always stood as a torch bearer, the members of other communities were seen greeting their Hindu brethren on the occasion. Muslim Federation also welcomed the Rath Yatra.
The authorities had also made elaborate arrangements for the yatra. Tight security arrangements were made across the city for the smooth conduct of yatra and senior police officers also accompanied it. Besides, volunteers of NCC managed the smooth flow of the participants besides providing assistance required by the participants.
Special care was taken of sanitation and for general cleanliness enroute the Yatra adequate number of Sarai Karamcharies were deployed.
Earlier pooja was performed by the Trustee of Dharmarth Trust, Vikramaditya Singh and president B R Kundal at Raghunath Temple.
Secretary J&K Dharmarth Trust Ajay Singh Jamwal, Gain Sharma,Ravinder Mittal, Baldev Khullar, Rajesh Bindal of Shoba Yatra Samitti and other office bearers of the Dharmarth Trust besides a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Shoba yatra was also taken out on the occasion of Ramnavmi by Migrant Welfare Committee Subash Nagar from newly constructed temple in the area where a hawan was performed on the occasion.
Impressive Shoba yatra on the occasion of Ramnavmi was taken out in Kathua from Ram Leela Ground. The Shoba yatra comprising of various Jhankis on Lord Rama’s life passed from different areas of the town. The devotees participating in the yatra were singing bhajans and dancing to the beating of drums. The organsiers were dressed in traditional Dogra costumes and turbans.
The entire town wore a festive look on the occasion as there was bee line of devotees waiting for darshan of Lord Rama.The people had erected welcome gates enroute to greet the yatra.
Shoba yatra was also taken out in Samba town today on the occasion of Ramnavmi which was organised by ISKON Temple Jammu. The yatra started from Chohata Chowk Samba and covered all the streets of the town including Link Road and concluded at Bus Stand Samba. A large number of devotees participated in the Shoba Yatra.
The devotees singing Hare Rama Hare Krishna were also dancing to beating of drums. Prabhu Ji member of ISKON led the yatra and highlighted its significance.
The Shoba yatra was organised by J&K Dharmarth Trust in collaboration with Raghunath Bazaar Welfare Association, Sanatan Dharma Sabha, Rajput Sabha, Brahaman Sabha, Mahajan Sabha, Khatri Sabha, Raghunath Bazaar Heritage Society and various social originations.
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