STATE TIMES NEWS
Jammu: Thousands of people turned upon Tuesday to witness giant effigies of demon king Ravana burst into flames at selected places in Jammu and elsewhere amid tight security arrangements, officials said.
The officials said elaborate security arrangements were made at all the venues to avoid any untoward incident.
Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh, Inspector General of Police (Jammu zone) Anand Jain and Jammu Mayor Rajinder Sharma were among the prominent persons who joined the crowd at Parade Ground to witness ‘Ravan Dahan’ shortly after dusk.
A religious procession by artists and members of Shri Sanatan Dharam Natak Samaj was taken out from Diwan Mandir and went around various parts of the old city before reaching the Parade Ground. Special puja was also performed at the historic Raghunath temple in the city.
Earlier during the day, various groups including the local units of RSS, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha performed Shastra Puja’ (arms worship) on the occasion of Vijayadashami.
The festival was celebrated with great fervour in Jammu as well.
In Leh, the capital city of Ladakh, hundreds thronged the historic Polo Ground to celebrate Dussehra and witness ‘Ravan Dahan’.
Several dignitaries, including Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Pawan Kotwal, Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC Tashi Gyalson, and Additional Director General of Police Ladakh S D Jamwal, were present at the ground for the festivities.
The Dussehra celebrations at the Polo ground were organised by the Members of the Hindu Trust (Maha Sabha) Leh. The president of the trust Balbir Singh conveyed best wishes to the people of Leh on the occasion.
Earlier, a religious procession was taken out in Leh from Hare Krishna Mandir. It travelled through the main market and culminated at the Polo Ground.