Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 23: An impressive Shoba Yatra was taken out on the eve of Krishna Janamashtami here today, which was jointly organized by Dharmarth Trust and Sanatan Dharam Sabha Jammu in association with other religious and social organizations.
Over two dozen Jhankis depicting different aspects of Lord Krishna’s life from his birth to Mahabarta formed the part of Shoba Yatra which started from historic Raghunath Mandir here. Thousands of devotees’ enroute greeted the Shoba Yatra and Swaran Chariot (golden rath of Lord). The devotees paid obeisance to Lord Krishna and Radha by showering flowers on the chariot enroute.
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The city markets including holy Raghunath Mandir and Geeta Bhawan were fully decorated by the devotees befitting the occasion. Various market organizations had erected welcome gates to receive the Shoba Yatra which started from Raghunath Mandir where the ‘Pooja-Archana’ of Lord Krishna, Radha and his chariot was performed by members of Dharmarth Trust and religious scholars in a traditional way.
Earlier the ‘Pooja-Archana’ was also performed at Geeta Bhawan by the members of Sanatan Dharma Sabha (SDS). It was followed by taking out of some Jhankis of Lord Krishna which joined the main Shoba yatra at Raghunath Mandir later.
The members of Muslim community also greeted the Shoba yatra at various places exhibiting the age-old Hindu Muslim brotherhood for which Jammu has always taken a lead. The members of Muslim Federation and Muslim Itihad Front also participated in the Shoba Yatra giving a message of peace and unity to people of the State.
The Shoba yatra, which started from Raghunath Ji Temple here after passing through various markets. The Shoba yatra passed via Raghunath Mandir Chowk -Veer Marg – Shaheedi Chowk -Rajinder Bazar- Kanak Mandi -City Chowk -Old Hospital Road – Purani Mandi – Link Road- Jain Bazar Chowk Chabutra -City Chowk- Upper Bazar-PP Panjtrithi-Mubarak Mandi-Pacca Danga – Moti Bazar -Raj Tilak Road – Purani Mandi Chowk- City Chowk – Raghunath Bazar and culminated at Shri Raghunath Ji Temple.
Hundreds of devotees drawn from different parts of the city and outskirts joined the ‘Shoba yatra’.
The idols of Lord Krishna and Radha decorated on Swaran Rath (Golden chariot) led the Shoba yatra after performance of Pooja in Raghunathji temple by Martand Singh and Ranvijay Singh along with religious scholars. The chariot was pulled by Pujaris and Pandits (scholars) of Raghunath Temple. The Golden chariot was followed by dozens of Jhankis. The volunteers of various religious and social organisations also accompanied the Shoba yatra. The devotees enroute were chanting Bhajans and hymns in praise of Lord Krishna. Some devotees attired in colourful costumes were dancing to drum beats enroute.
Secretary J&K Dharmarth Trust, Dr Sat Pal; Deputy Mayor, Purnima Sharma; Council Members Y.V Sharma, Ajay Gandotra and Mubarak Singh; Inspector General of Police Mukesh Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Sushma Chouhan, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, Raghunath Bazaar Businessman Association President, Surinder Mahajan, Baldev Khullar, members of Sanatan Dharam Sabha and prominent civil society members also participated in the Shoba yatra.
Another chariot joined the Shoba yatra from Purani Mandi temple which too carried the ‘Sawari’ of Lord Krishna. The Temple Management Committee led by Mahant Rameshwar Dass led the holy procession.
Hundreds of devotees were seen sitting on roof tops of houses and shops enroute to greet the Shoba yatra and have darshan of Thakur Ji. Some philanthropists have also installed stalls to serve prasad, fruits and cold water to devotees participating in the Shoba yatra.
A sizeable number of female devotees belonging to Brahma Kumaris Ashram, Rehari and Aasa Ram Bapu Ashram also participated in the yatra along with their Jhankis. Besides, two Jhankis from Jamwant Gufa, Jhanki from Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Ambphalla and other religious and social organizations also formed the part of Shoba yatra.
The district administration, Jammu, had made elaborate security arrangements en-route and a big contingent of police was escorting the Shoba yatra to avert any untoward incident.
On the eve of Janamashtami a grand Shoba yatra was taken out in Kathua town today in which a large number of devotees took part. The religious procession was organised by Radha Krishna Temple Committee, Kathua. Well decorated Jhankis of Lord Krishna, Radha and Gopis were the main attraction of Shoba yatra which passed from various areas of the town. The devotees participating in the Shoba yatra were chanting Bhajan and Kirtan in praise of Lord.
Another Shoba yatra was organised by Maha Kaleshwar Temple Committee Kathua led by Narinder Khajuria. The main attraction of Shoba yatra was an infant depicting as Lord Krishna was being carried in a basket by the Lord’s father Vasudev. The devotees enroute were chanting ‘Radhey Radhey’ and `Jai Sri Krishna’.
A week -long programme in connection with celebration of Krishna Janamashtami culminated at Swami Kumar Ji Geeta Satsang Ashram, Muthi where during the programme scholars and Swami Ji gave religious discourses on the teachings of Bhagwat Geeta and life of Lord Krishna.
A Shoba yatra was also taken out in Jagti Camp, Nagrota on the eve of Janamashtami today in which a large number of camp inmates participated.
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