STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: A grandiose Shobha Yatra was taken out on Thursday by the Dharmarth Trust J&K to mark the festival of Ram Navami from the historical Shri Raghunathji Temple here.
Trustee Ranvijay Singh along with Trust’s President Adv Ajay Gandotra, Secretary Ashok Kumar Sharma (SSP Retd) and Trust’s Council Members RS Pathania and UC Sharma presided over the Murti Poojan at Shri Raghunath Ji Temple. Thereafter, Rath Poojan and Dhwajarohan ceremonies were performed.
Thousands of devotees comprising prominent citizens, politicians and heads of social and religious organizations participated in the Shobha Yatra.
Members of Muslim brethren also accorded a rousing reception to the Yatra enroute.
This Shobha Yatra was conducted in collaboration with Sanatan Dharam Sabha and Dharmik Youvak Mandal.
The Shobha Yatra started from the Shri Raghunathji Temple and was passed through various markets including Residency Road, Rajinder Bazaar, Kanak Mandi, City Chowk, Purani Mandi, Link Road, Jain Bazaar, Chowk Chabutra, Pacca Danga, Moti Bazaar, Raj Tilak Road, Raghunath Bazaar and finally culminated at Shri Raghunath Temple.
Ranvijay Singh, in his message, felicitated people on Ram Navami and prayed that this auspicious occasion would be the harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that the celebration of festivals, which are an important part of our glorious heritage, strengthens communal harmony and brotherhood and reinvigorates the secular ethos. He prayed for peace and the well-being of the people of the Union Territory.
Tight security arrangements were ensured by the UT administration across the city for the smooth conduct of Ram Navami celebrations. During the Shobha Yatra various senior police officers also marked their presence to make arrangements robust and incident-free.
Heavy rush of devotees was witnessed at the historical Raghunath Ji temple where people made long queues to participate in “Pooja” and other holy rituals.
Earlier in the morning, a Hawan Yagya was solemnized in the Raghunathji Temple in which Ajatshatru Singh, Trustee of J&K Dharmarth Trust offered Puran Aahuti followed by Grand Aarti in the Holy sanctum-sanctorum of the Temple.
Prominent among those who were present include Arun Gupta, President CCI Jammu, Dr Parshotam Dadechhi, President Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Anil Sharma, President Dharmik Youvak Mandal and Hira Lal Abrol.
Meanwhile, Ram Navami was celebrated by the miniscule Hindu population of the city by taking out a Shobha Yatra in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
Amidst tight security, the Shobha Yatra started from Zaindar Mohalla in the old city and culminated at Tankipora after passing through Habbakadal, Barbarshah, Lal Chowk, Hari Singh High Street and Jehangir Chowk.
“We have been taking out this yatra and ‘Jhanki’ every year for the past 16 years. Earlier, it was stopped due to turmoil in the valley,” Pawan Chetanyadas, the organiser of the Shobha Yatra, said.
He expressed gratitude to both Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmir Pandits for their support in carrying out the procession.
“We pray for peace and prosperity of all people in Kashmir. We want everyone to live in harmony as bloodshed will yield nothing,” he added.
