Impressive Bhagwan Parshuram Shobha Yatra taken out

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 23: Thousands of people participated in an impressive Shobha Yatra taken out in the city of temples in connection with the birth celebrations of Bhagwan Parshuram ji here today.
Minister for Revenue and Relief, Raman Bhalla and Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma flagged off the Bhagwan Parshuram Jayanti Shobha Yatra from Brahman Sabha, Parade Ground here this afternoon. BJP MLA from Jammu East, Ashok Khajuria and Jammu State Morcha MLA from Bishnah, Ashwani Sharma, were also present on the occasion besides executive committee members of the Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha and a large number of members of the community.
Addressing a large gathering on the occasion Mr Bhalla said ‘Akshay Tritiya’ (Parshuram Jayanti) is observed traditionally as the birth anniversary of Parshuram ji, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. ‘Akshay Tritiya’ is considered as one of the most auspicious days, according to the Hindu Calendar. He said the day on which Moon, Sun and Jupiter unitedly come under Mrigshira Nakashatra, is called Akshya Tritiya. He urged the people to follow preachings of Bhagwan Parshuramji in their daily life.
Mr Bhalla further said according to the Puranas, the holy Hindu scriptures, on this day of ‘Akshay Tritiya’ Vedvyasa alongwith Lord Ganesha started writing the great epic of Mahabharata. The Mother Ganga (river) also descended to the earth on this day. He said the people today from all walks of life, particularly the Brahman community offer special prayers, take bath in holy rivers, make charity, offer barley in the sacred fire and worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi. He said Parshuram Bhargava belonged to Treta Yuga. The purpose of this sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu is considered by religious scholars to relieve the earth’s burden by eliminating sinful, destructive and irreligious monarchs.
While congratulating people on this occasion, Sham Lal said that Parshuram is famous for killing ‘Haihaya-Kshatriyas’ on the earth 21 times for their pride. He wanted to spread and preserve the Vedic culture on the earth. Parshuram is said to be a warrior Brahman and the first-ever warrior saint as well.
Tableaux of Bhagwan Parshuram, Lord Shiva, Data Ranpat, Baba Jito, Brahma Kumaris , Dwarika Nath Shastri ji and many others mounted on highly decorated chariots/ open vehicles were the main attractions of this grand Shobha Yatra. A large number of devotees/ members of the Brahman community, raising religious slogans like “Bhagwan Parhsuramji Ki Jai”…..were following the chariots. Most of the vehicles were fitted with loud speakers. The devotees were also singing Bhajans, sermons and many were seen even dancing. Band Baja and traditional `Dhols’ were also part of this impressive Shobha Yatra. It started from Parade Ground and after passing through Moti Bazar, Link Road, Jain Bazar, Kanak Mandi, Raghunath Bazar, City Chowk culminated at Parade. Many people greeted Shobha yatra enroute and also joined. They showered flowers petals from the top of their houses, building when the Shobha Yatra was passing through city routes. President Brahman Sabha, Pt Ved Parkash Sharma, general secretary Shakti Dutt Sharma, vice president Virender Magotra, secretary Sat Pal Sharma, treasurer Ram Pal Sharma and others were also accompanying the yatra. They greeted the people on this occasion.
Earlier, the Revenue Minister released the DVD of Bhagwan Parshuram (Bhagwan Parshu Chalisa). The music to this DVD has been given by Prakash Sharma, renowned music artist. It has been sung by Pratima Sharma and Kanta Sharma. The other supporting artists are Pramila Bali, K M Jaitee, Ramesh Raina and Surinder Sharma. Recoding has been done by Amarjit Singh while it has been founded by Late Pritam Singh, music composer of Radio Kashmir Jammu.
Meanwhile, Dogra Pujari, Jyotish Shastri Sangh, Jammu province also celebrated Parshuram Jayanti at Bakshinagar here today. The ceremony commenced with `havan’ and special prayers in the morning. Jagdish Chander Sharma, general secretary SD Sabha Geeta Bhawan, Jammu was the chief guest. Several other scholars also attended the programme. Later, they joined Shobha Yatra of Bhagwan Parshuramji at Parade Ground.