Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: An impressive Shoba Yatra was today taken out in Jammu on the occasion of Ramnavmi -the birthday of Lord Rama.
A large number of devotees’ drawn from different parts of Jammu participated in the Shoba Yatra which started from historical Raghunath temple here.
The Shoba Yatra was led by Swari of Lord Rama and it started with the performance of Pooja Archana at Raghuanth temple. Various jhankis depicting the different aspects of Lord Rama’s, Sita’s and Laxman’s life Vanar Sena, Hanuman etc on fully decorated tractor trolleys and other four wheelers formed the part of Shoba Yatra.
The Shoba Yatra was organized by Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust in collaboration with Raghunath Bazar Welfare Association, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Rajput Sabha, Brahman Sabha, Mahajan Sabha, Khatri Sabha, Raghunath Bazar Heritage Society and various other social and religious organizations of Jammu.
The organizers were dressed in Tradional Dogra costumes and turban. The entire Shoba Yatra route gave a festive look as there was a bee line of people watching in every chowk and Bazar to greet the Shoba yatra and maintain the tradition. The devotees were seen paying obeisance to Lord Rama whose Sawari was taken in a traditional Rath. The Shoba Yatra which started from Raghunath temple after passing through City Chowk, Purani Mandi, Link Road, Jain Bazaar, Purani Mandi, and City Chowk later culminated at Raghnath Bazar.
The people have decorated the bazaars to greet the Shoba Yatra and devotees were seen showering flowers on it at various places.
To maintain the age old secular traditions of Jammu the heads of various non Hindu organizations also accorded rousing reception to the Shoba Yatra enroute.
Minister of State for Education, Priya Sethi, Divisional Commissioner, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IG, Jammu, Danish Rana, Director DD Anjali Sharma, BJP vice president Yudhvir Sethi and other prominent citizens coordinated the Shoba Yatra.
The authorities had made elaborate security arrangements for the Shoba Yatra and senior police officers were also accompanying the yatra. Earlier heavy rush of devotees was seen in Raghunath Temple during the pooja and people made long queues to participate in the pooja and other religious rituals. Raj Kumar, Martand Singh and Raj Kumar, Ranvijay Singh also attended the pooja and Rath Yatra. The VHP senior leader, Dr Rama Kant Dubey was also present on the occasion.
Impressive Shoba Yatra on the occasion of Ramnavmi was also taken out in Kathua from Ram Leela ground. The Shoba Yatra comprising of various jhankis of Lord Rama’s life passed through various areas of the town. A large number of devotees participated in the Shoba Yatra who were dancing and singing to the tune of beating of drums.
The Ramnavmi was also celebrated in Udhampur, Samba, Ramban, Reasi and other districts of the Jammu region with religious fervour and gaiety.
In Poonch city, a large Shoba Yatra was taken out on Ramnavmi from Geeta Mandir. The people in large number from Poonch city and also from nearly a dozen surrounding villages including Magnad, Jhallas, Kanuyian, Chandak, Dhara Dullian, Ajot, Gulpur etc along with ‘Jhankies’ arrived at Geeta Bhawan and joined the grand procession.
This annual Shoba Yatra is taken out on this day under the supervision of Sanatan Dharam Sabha Poonch. Satish Sasan, SD Sabha president and management committee members besides members from various social and religious organizations, attended this programme. The women and children in large number also participated in this grand Shoba Yatra which after passing through various markets and localities of the city culminated at Geeta Bhawan.
A community Langar was organised at Temple Dharam Dass Guru Gaddi. The devotees in Jhanki also touched historic Khakha Naban Mandir and offered prayers. The district Administration had made elaborate security arrangements. Over 25,000 people attended this grand Shoba Yatra.
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