Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 1: Despite chilly weather thousands of devotees drawn from different parts of the region participated in the Shoba Yatra taken out on the eve of 638th Guru Ravi Dass Jyanti here.
The devotees including men, women and children attired in colourful costumes were singing bhajans-kirtan in praise of Guru Ravi Dass Ji Maharaj enroute. The Shoba Yatra was organized by Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Krishna Nagar.
It was flagged of by former Minister for Planning, Development and Labour Ajay Sadhotra and led by Swami Gurdeep Giri Ji Maharaj. The Swami Ji was riding a fully decorated open vehicle.
The devotees were dancing to the tune of beating of drums. Hundreds of jhankis depicting the different aspects of Guru Ravi Dass Ji’s spiritual life were the part of the Shoba Yatra.
The Shoba Yatra started from Guru Ravi Dass Temple, Krishna Nagar and after passing through Jewel Chowk, Bhagat Singh Chowk, JP Chowk, Indira Chowk, Shalamar Chowk, City Chowk, Raghunath Bazar, Gurudwara Sunder Singh Road, Vivekananda Chowk, Prem Nagar culminated at Bahu Fort.
The entire area from where the Shoba Yatra passed was fully decorated. Prominent persons including MLA East Rajesh Gupta, Ashok Koul, general secretary, BJP and heads of various association including Gumat Bazaar Association, Shalamar Trade Association, Raghunath Bazaar Association, Shoe Manufacturing Association, Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Upper Gummat and Prem Nagar Bazaar Association had erected welcome gates to receive the Shoba Yatra. The devotees at various places showered flowers on Guru Ravi Dass Ji’s portrait.
At Bahu Fort the Shoba Yatra was received by former Minister of Housing, Culture and Horticulture, Raman Bhalla. President of Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Vijay Lochan, Sham Sunder Basson, Mohan Lal Hans, Sham Lal Basson, cashier, Parshotam Thappa, Bodh Raj, Surinder Bhagat, president, Anuchuchit Morcha BJP, Kesar Singh, Cl Banal, Rattan Lal Gupta, Babu Ram Paul, Kashmira Singh, Sat Sharma, MLA and Badri Nath, State Secretary, PDP were also present.
Later, religious discourses were given by Swami Gurdeep Giri Ji Maharaj. He threw light on the spiritual life and teachings of Guru Ravi Dass Ji Maharaj and appealed the people to follow the path shown by him to attain salvation.
He said Guru Ji was a revolutionary spiritual saint and his admirers and followers are not only in India but abroad also. Swami Ji said the spirit shown by the people in today’s Yatra who despite heavy down pour participated in large numbers shows that they are totally devoted to Guru Ji Maharaj.
Swami Ji also stressed on unity in the society and urged the people to shun violence and bad habits.
Raman Bhalla in his address congratulated the people and said that Guru Ravi Dass Ji’s message of love, brotherhood, equality in the society are more relevant in present time when people are confronted to complex problems and issues. He stressed upon the gathering to follow the teachings of Guru Ravi Dass.
Meanwhile, Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Udhampur also organized a Shoba Yatra. Various jhankies depicting the different aspects of Guru Ravi Dass, Guru Kabir and Guru Nabha Dass were organized. The Shoba Yatra was flagged off by Kaka Ram, president of the Sabha, which passed through Domail Chowk, Salathia Chowk, Court Road, Ramnagar Chowk, Sailan Talab, Hospital Road, Chabutra Bazaar, Gole Market and culminated at Guru Ravi Dass Chowk. Hundreds of people from all walks of life participated in the Shoba Yatra.
It may be recalled that Guru Ravi Dass Jyanti is falling on February 3 and the Sabha on the occasion is organizing a grand function in the premises of Guru Ravi Dass Temple, Krishna Nagar.
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