The city was in the grip of Ram Janmotsav with thousands of people thronging the streets on Tuesday evening when the colourful 'shobhayatra', Central India's biggest religious and social do, was held.
The colourful yatra with over 80 tableaux was flagged off at around 4pm from the historic Poddareshwar Ram Mandir at Shanichara after mayor Archana Dehankar performed the 'aarti' and amid chants of 'Jai Shree Ram'.
Among those who performed puja of Lord Ram's idols included guardian minister Shivajirao Moghe, MP Vilas Muttemwar, former MP Banwarilal Purohit, city Congress chief Jaiprakash Gupta, MLAs Krishna Khopde, Dinanth Padole, former minister Anees Ahmed and host of local leaders.
As devotees pulled the chariot of Lord Ram, there were more chants of 'Jai Shree Ram' slogans. Floats depicting scenes from the Ramayana and even Mahabharat had everyone's eyes rivetted.
Started in 1967 by Girijashankar Tiwari, this was the 45th year of celebrations. The yatra was welcomed by devotees and hundreds of social organizations along the 10-km route, with most of the areas falling in east and central Nagpur.
Setting a perfect example of unity in diversity, even the Muslim community from Mominpura joined the Hindus to celebrate. Muslims also performed 'puja' and released pigeons as a symbol of peace when Lord Ram's chariot reached Mominpura.
Hundreds of folk troupes from Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Gujarat, Nagaland, Maharashtra and Sindh region danced and marched ahead of the procession. The roads wore a splendorous look.
Thousands had gathered at Sitabuldi to watch the fire show. Attractive fireworks succeeded in enthralling the milling crowds which accompanied the procession and also waited by the roadside.
Tableaux like 'Ashok vatika mein veer Hanuman', 'laya main Prabhu Ram sandesha' were among the host of attractions.
There were ice-sculptures of Lord Ganesha and Shiva at Itwari and Wardhaman Nagar. Intersections at Jaripatka, Dharampeth, Central Avenue, Mominpura and Sitabuldi welcomed the procession with huge welcome arches.
The managing committee had also made arrangements for live telecast by local cable operators. Over 300 social bodies and over 8,000 volunteers offered their help for the smooth conduct of the processions.
There were processions at other temples too, including the Ram Mandir at Ram Nagar. Some of the attractive tableaux were operated with mechanical devices bringing to life stories from Ramayana and other legends. One of the striking features of this procession was a skate show.
Another procession was taken out at Wadi.As a preventive measure, vehicular movements on different roads were blocked. The stretches included Central Avenue, Itwari, Mahal, Cotton Market, Sitabuldi and Dharampeth. But there was not a single complaint from the citizens as the motorists adjusted nicely.
0 comments:
Post a Comment