JAMMU: Jammu city on Wednesday witnessed exemplary enthusiasm and religious fervour during impressive Shobha Yatra taken out on the eve of Janamashtmi festival. The Shobha Yatra was jointly organised by Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust and Sanatan Dharam Sabha (SDS) Jammu.
Shoba Yatra started from Raghunath Temple and after passing through various markets culminated again at the Temple.
Before the Shobha Yatra, Pooja was performed by Trustee of J and K Dharmarth Trust, Vikramaditya Singh (MLC) along with President of the Trust, B.R Kundal, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu Danesh Rana and SSP Jammu Dr Sunil Gupta.
Impressive Jhankis were displayed by various temple committees and religious organisations in which the large number of devotees participated with great enthusiasm and religious fervour. They were chanting religious hymns and singing Bhajans. The people in different bazaars had erected welcome gates to greet the Shoba Yatra.
It was given a rousing welcome by the members of Muslim community at Khatikan Talab where over 100 prominent members of the community had gathered to greet the Shoba Yatra to keep the traditional and age old brotherhood alive for which Jammu has always given a lead in testing times. The members of the community led by Muslim Federation had not only erected the welcome gates in the market to receive the Shoba Yatra in a befitting way but they also offered juice and ice cream to the devotees.
The authorities had made elaborate security arrangements en-route and a big contingent of police and CRPF was escorting the Shoba Yatra. To avert any untoward incident the top police officers were also accompanying the Yatra.
Scores of Jhankis taken by various social and religious organisations on tractor trolleys and other four wheelers depicting different aspects of Lord Krishna’s life from his birth to Mahabharta, were the main attraction of the Shoba Yatra.
The prominent among the Shoba Yatra were Jhankis from Sanatan Dharam Sabha, ISKCON, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Natak Samaj, Raghunath Mandir, Deewana Mandir and Purani Mandi Mandir. Students of Sanskrit Mahavidhyalay Birpur also participated in this religious event.
People enroute, made beeline to pay obeisance to Lord Krishna, whose Swari was taken out in a fully decorated Rath.
The Shoba Yatra, passed via Shalamar Chowk, Hari Market, Residency Road, Shaheedi Chowk, Rajinder Bazar, Kanak Mandi, City Chowk, Purani Mandi, Old Hospital Road, Link Road, Jain Bazaar, Chabutra Chowk, Panjtirthi, Mubarak Mandi, Pacca Danga, Moti Bazaar, Sabzi Mandi, Raj Tilak Road, Purani Mandi and culminated at Raghunath Mandir. The Yatra was coordinated by Secretary J and K Dharmarth Trust Shashi Khajuria, staff members and Pujaris of the trust were also present.
As per the directions of the President of J and K Dharmarth Trust, B.R Kundal all the temples have been illuminated and decorated with flowers and beautiful buntings, in connection with Janamashami for midnight prayers tomorrow.
Meanwhile a Shobha Yatra was also taken out on Wednesday ahead of Janamashtami at Udhampur. The Yatra was organised by Sanatan Dharam Sabha (SDS) Udhampur which started from Chabutra Bazaar and passed through Main Bazaar Gole Market, Mukherjee Bazaar, Slathia Chowk, Old Ramnagar Chowk, Pandav Mandir, Hospital Road, Sallain Talab and later culminated at SDS office. Well decorated tableaus of Lord Krishna were displayed and people were reciting Bhajans and Kirtan during Yatra. Prashad was also distributed among participants.
Another Shobha Yatra was also taken out by disciples of ISCON mission which commenced from Hare Rama Krishna Temple and passed through Main Bazaar and streets of the town, Gole market Shoba Yatra culminated back to premises of Temple. Disciples were chanting Bajan Kritan and were dancing with full religious fervour. Students of different private schools also took part in Shoba Yatra to celebrate Janamshtami. People accorded warm reception to Shoba Yatra and distributed Prashad and sweets among participants.
Meanwhile a Shobha Yatra in connection with Janamashtami was organised at Kathua on Wednesday. The Shobha Yatra started from Maha Kaleshwar Mandir Krishna Colony Kathua under the supervision of President Mandir Committee Narender Khajuria. Additional Deputy Commissioner Bharat Bhushan was the Chief Guest.
A large number of devotees including men, women and children from all walks of life participated in the Shobha Yatra which was taken out with a brass band also taking part in the procession. The groups of women were reciting Bhajan and Bhaints.