RAM NAVAMI CELEBRATED WITH RELIGIOUS POMP AND FERVOUR IN BHOJPUR

RAM NAVAMI CELEBRATED WITH RELIGIOUS POMP AND FERVOUR IN BHOJPUR

6-APRIL-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------Ram Navami was celebrated with religious zest and fervour in Bhojpur district on Sunday amidst tight security arrangement by the Bhojpur district administration. Scorching sun did not deter the spirit of devotees. Over one lakh people from different parts of Bhojpur district assembled at Ramgarhia locality of the town from where Lord Ram is supposed to have passed through with his guru, Vishwamitra and brother, Laxman en-route Janakpur. The entire town wore a festive look. The sight could not have been more spectacular: Saffron banners, flags and festoons adorned the entire Ara town and turned it into a fairy land. This is the 25^th anniversary of the Ramnavami Mahatsav Shobha Yatra.

Under the banner of the Ramnavami Mahatsav Shobha Yatra, the devotees took out a massive procession under the leadership of Devraha Shivnath Das Jee Maharaj from Ramgarhia that passed through the main thoroughfares of the town and terminated at Ramana Maidan where the devotees vowed to build Krishna temple at Mathur.  The devotees were chanting ‘Jai Sri Ram’ and ‘Har Har Bum Bum’ that rented the sky.

The former MP from Ara Raj Kumar Singh, local MLA and former Agriculture Minister, government of Bihar, Amrendra Pratap Singh reached Ramgarhia to participate in the Ram Nawami Procession to woo the people as the assembly election is on the card and followed the procession upto Gopali Chowk dancing and chanting slogans ‘Jai Sri Ram’. The young followers of the Hindus, wielding naked swords in their hands and riding on motorcycles were seen plying on the crowded road at great speed not thinking of safety of people. Some elderly persons and onlookers showed their anguish over the way the rowdy youngsters were running on the road flaunting the norms. All the indecent activities were seen on the land of Maryada Purushottam Lord Sri Ram which was giving wrong message to the coming generations.

At least 135 tableaux on different aspects of the life of Lord Ram were also taken out. The main attraction was the living statue of the lord Ram resembling the statue installed in the newly constructed temple at Ayodhya. The locals thronged both flanks of the road to have a glimpse of the procession. People offered ‘arati’ and showered flowers on photographs, statues and live statue of Lord Ram, Lord Hanuman and others. The devotees sang bhajan and kirtan in procession and exhibition of traditional weapons was limited and hoodlums were discouraged. Showering of flowers from helicopter on the tableaux and the procession was the main attraction.

People set up stalls at different points and offered cold drinking water, sharbat and other sweetmeats to devotees. Even the Muslims did not lag behind and set up stalls at Gopali Chowk, Badi Masjid, Abarpur localities of town and offered sharbat to the devotees. Md Zafar said Bhojpur is known for communal harmony and the gesture will go a long way in further strengthening the secular fabric of the district.

Processions were also taken out at Piro, Jagdishpur, Sahar, Shahpur, Sandesh and Bihia with religious fervour amidst tight security. The administration followed the procession in these areas seeing some communal tension but the festival passed off peacefully.

Besides, devotees thronged the temples in thousands to have a glimpse of lord Ram and Goddess Durga and offered prayer. Almost all the temples were decorated tastefully with lights and flowers. People particularly girls and women observed fast the whole day and sang ‘bhajans. Chaita and Sohar’ They decorated the cradle and rocked lord Ram in the cradle lightly with a string. The main function was organized at Bari Mathia and at Manas Mandir at Ramana Maidan where a six day Ramnavami has been organized. During the six day function, a colourful ‘dandiya’ dance and ‘bhajan’ sandhya have also been organized. Devi Jagran and Akhand Hari Ram Kirtan were also organized to mark the occasion. At Bari Mathia, a six day Ram Jamotasava has been organized and Prasad (offerings) were tributeted among the devotees.

On the other hand, the district administration deputed magistrates and police force at about 269 places including 23 sensitive points and also videographed the event. In addition to it, magistrates are deputed 3 at Sandesh, 7 at Sahar, 7 at Tarari, 6 at Sikarhatta, 10 at Piro, 11 at Charpokhari, 5 at Shahpur, 2 at Bihia and 4 at Jagdishpur sensitive places to maintain law and order.  The DM, Tanay Sulltania, SP Mister Raj and other officials were also present at Gopali Chowk to monitor the law and other arrangement. The SDOs and the SDPOs were asked to maintain law and order in their respective areas. Liquor shops were ordered to be closed on the day. The electricity department disconnected power supply of the entire town from 11.30am till late evening to prevent electrocution caused by high flag posts carried by the processionists though Ara town was covered with insulated wire and underground wiring was almost complete.

Though the DM had disallowed use of Disc Jockeys (DJ) on a truck and playing of songs at high pitches, almost all the trucks had six to eight Disc Jockeys playing songs at maximum pitch. To create havoc in the mind of the resident, district administration with heavy police force paraded in the town in the evening on Saturday announcing to shun hoodlums, exhibition of traditional weapons, raising of inciting slogans and also warned motorcycle riders to avoid irresponsible driving otherwise stern action would be taken against them but the warning had little impact.