Devotees throng city temples on Ramnavami

28 Mar, 2007
PATNA: Men, women and children in their colourful attires were seen thronging different temples in the state capital carrying

"dhwaja" to offer Puja to Lord Hanuman on the occasion of Ramnavami which was celebrated with great zeal and zest on Tuesday.

There was an unprecendented crowd at the Mahavir temple, near the Patna Junction where devotees had to make serpentine line, the tail end of which coiled at R-Block roundabout. Scorching sun did not deter the spirit of devotees who moved bare-footed, slowly and steadily, chanting

"Jai Shri Ram". Women of all ages, mostly coming from rural areas, clutching their infant were seen making circuitous line up to the backside of the New Market. On their part, the volunteers of the New Market Ramnawami Puja Samiti were seen controlling the queue and as good Samaritans were providing drinking water to parched throats.

Last year, the queue did not go beyond the GPO roundabout. Mahavir Mandir Trust secretary Kishore Kunal attributed the huge rush this time to people coming from different districts including Chapra, Begusarai, Ara and other places. On earlier occasions, the crowd used to be local residents.

"The trend now confirms that the Mandir is now turning into a pilgrimage centre," Kunal told TOI. To ease pressure and avoid rush at the entrance of the Mahavir Mandir, Kunal said from next year

"Prasad", marigold flowers etc would be made available at the tail end of the queue. Chief minister Nitish Kumar visited Thakurbari at Gardanibagh and offered Puja to Goddess Durga and prayed for the well-being and development of the state. He said for the overall development of the state, communal harmony and social peace is must.

Nitish also initiatied the work of roof construction and marble flooring of the temple. Speaker Uday Narayan Choudhary and deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi were also present. At Bihar Sankritik Vidyapith Ashram, Sunderkhand of Ramcharit Manas was read out by Vidyapith principal J N Sharma. Bharat Sadhu Samaj general secretary Swami Harinarayanand in his discourse asked people to follow the teachings of Lord Ram for their all-round prosperity. Devotees under the banner of Sri Sai Baba Seva Sansthan took out a procession with elephant, horse, orchestra band party singing devotional songs which passed through Gandhi Maidan, Lodipur, Exhibition Road, Fraser Road, and Mahavir Mandir.

As many as 108 married women recited mantras at Dadiji temple where Ramanavami was celebrated under the banner of Shaktidham Seva Nyas.