Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 9: An impressive Shoba yatra was taken out on the eve of Shri Krishna Janamashtami here today. The Shoba yatra started from historic Raghunath temple with taking out of the Sawari of Lord Krishna in the fully decorated silver chariot.
The Shoba yatra started with traditional pooja -archana of Lord Krishna by the religious scholars in the Raghunath temple. A large number of devotees including prominent citizens, leaders of various political parties and social organizations attended the function.
As the Shoba yatra left the Raghunath temple the religious slogans rent the air. Hundreds of devotees’ enroute were waiting in long queues as well as on roof tops to have the darshan of Lord Krishna whose Sawari was taken out in a well decorated chariot.
The people enroute showered flowers from roof tops on the Shoba yatra and paid obeisance to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.
The Shoba yatra left via Residency Road, Shahidi Chowk, Kanak Mandi, City Chowk, Purani Mandi, Raj Tilak Road, Jain Bazar, Chowk Chabutra, Pacca Danga, Moti Bazar, Parade, Purani Mandi, City Chowk, Raghunath Bazaar before culminating at Raghunath Chowk late in the evening.
All the bazaars were fully decorated by the people and respective bazaar associations by erecting welcome gates to greet the Shoba yatra. The occasion was a witness to the traditional brotherhood and amity for which Jammu is famous for as a large number of Muslims also greeted their Hindu brethren enroute on the occasion of Janamashtami.
The Sawari of Lord Krishna was preceded by seven horse riders attired in traditional Dogra dress with a Kesri turban on their head. It was followed by over one score jhankis depicting different aspects of Lord Krishna’s life from his childhood to Mahabharta.
The Sawari of Lord Krishna on another chariot pulled by devotees from Purani Mandi temple was also the part of Shoba yatra. It was led by Mahant Rameshwar Dass Ji.
The Shoba yatra was organised by Dharmarth Trust in collaboration with Sanatan Dharam Sabha and Dharmik Yuvak Mandal.
The devotees enroute were dancing to the beating of drums and reciting bhajan and Kirtan in praise of Lord Krishna. The people enroute had installed Chhabeels and stalls to serve cold water, ice cream, fruit and prashad to devotees.
The various religious and social organizations participated in the Shoba yatra along with their tableauxes. They included Raghunath Sanskrit Maha Vidyalaya, Tulsi Brass band, Dharmik Yuvak Mandal, Raghunath Seva Dal Purani Mandi, Krishna Band, KP Sabha, Gupta Band, Sanatan Dharam Natak Samaj, Dewan Mandir, Divya Jyoti Jagriti, Sanstha, ISKCON, Yuva Kala Sangam, Prachin Shiv Mandir and Asa Ram Bapu Ashram besides various other organizations.
The authorities had made elaborate security arrangements for the yatra as a big contingent of police was manning the entire route where from it proceeded. Besides a large number of policemen were escorting the yatra to avert any untoward incident.
Another Shoba yatra was taken in New Plots from Krishna Mandir in which a large number of devotees took part.
An impressive Shoba yatra was also taken out from TRT Nagrota by the inmates of the camp from a local Krishna Temple to Kandoli Mata Nagrota.
On the eve of Janamashtami an impressive religious function was held at Gokul Dham Ambica Vihar Gole Gujral today in which a large number of devotees took part and participated in Bhajan Kirtan in praise of Lord Krishna.
A grand religious function was also held in Geeta Satsanghashram Muthi on the eve of Janam Ashtami today in which a large number of devotees participated. On the occasion Swami Kumar Ji gave the religious discourses and highlighted the teachings of Lord Krishna with reference to Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta.
Various rallies and jhankis were also organized at Udhampur on the eve of Krishna Janamashtami by the devotees today. Rallies were also organized by Sanatan Dharam Sabha Udhampur at Chabutra Chowk and Ram Kala Kendra. All the rallies started from Shri Prabhupadha Ashram and passed through various markets.
Prabhupada Ashram also held a grand function to celebrate the Janamashtami by organizing Bhajan Kirtan, Drama, Krishan Lila, Shoba Yatra, spiritual discourses, darshan, children’s programme and fun filled spiritual activities.
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