Prayagraj: At a time when the entire nation is celebrating the ‘Pran Prathistha’ (consecration) ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya, denizens of the city left no stone unturned to express their devotion and joy for the event as celebrations echoed all day through. The celebrations in city is special as it was Prayagraj, especially the sandy banks of Sangam during Magh Mela and Kumbh, which had witnessed the senior leaders of VHP and seers chalking out the blueprint of the struggle associated with Ramjanamabhoomi and the demand for constructing the temple at the very site, which is presently hogging the limelight.In the last two days, the entire city has turned into ‘city of saffron flags’ as not only the major crossings, markets and roads but even the thin by-lanes have been decorated by locals with saffron flags.
Bhandara organised
Locals expressed their joy by organizing Bhandara (community feast) at several places. According to a rough estimate, Sangam city witnessed nothing less than 500-600 bhandara. The magnitude of the numbers could be gauzed by the fact that in Sulem Sarai market, there were 16 points of community feasts. These numbers were even higher near the Magh Mela area where different organizations had organized bhandaras.
Restaurants refrained from serving non-veg
Likewise, several restaurants of the city announced that they will not be serving non-veg cuisines for today. “To show our respect for Lord Ram and celebrate the moment, we have decided that there will be only vegetarian dishes being prepared in our kitchen and severed to our customers”, said Mohit Roy, owner of a famous restaurant of Civil Lines.
Colourful processions
Likewise, number of processions too were taken out in the city. In one such procession, both men and women were joined by the little kids in celebrating the day. Braving the winter chill, the participants of the procession were dressed in ethnic attire and danced to the tune of Ram bhajans which were played by the DJ’s that accompanied these processions.
Similarly, in other processions taken out in Chowk and Katra, an actor, dressed in the attire of Hanuman, led the procession and Lord Ram, Laxman and Sita were seated on the chariot. Locals were seen showering flower petals on the procession as it passed through the streets. The participants of this procession were shouting slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Har-Har Mahadev’. Thousands of children, youth and women participated in the procession with Ramnami saffron stole around their neck. Even the ambulance association took out a procession.
City decorated like Diwali
The entire city was celebrating another form of Diwali in the evening. Although there were not many vehicles plying on the roads and almost all the markets too were closed, crossings, government buildings, private colonies, markets and temples were decorated with colourful lights. As locals rejoiced the occasion, many of them burst crackers to show their happiness. To meet the sudden demand, several roadside vendors had put up their stalls selling crackers, earthen lamps, candles and garlands. In several localities, people had even lighted lamps in the night.
Rampath showcases glory of Lord Ram
A grand Rampath has been made on Sardar Patel Marg of Civil Lines by Vyapar Mandal. The life story of Lord Ram and his ideals from the childhood incident of Ramcharitmanas to the Kishkindha Kand are depicted in attractive frames and posters. The traders along with the guests worshiped Lord Ram and distributed prasad among the people. “It is not only about rejoicing but people want to imbibe the principles of Lord Ram and the entire life of our Ram inspires every common man”, says the president of the Vyapar Mandal, Shushil Kharbanda.
Ayodhya proceedings telecast on huge LED’s
Locals had made arrangements of huge LED’s at various points, especially at the sites of bhandaras. The live telecast of the proceedings of Ayodhya was being shown on these LED’s as people were enjoying prasad. LED’s were installed at Magh Mela area too.
Shortage of orange
colour balloons
As different roads and apartments had decorated their places with orange coloured balloons, the shops selling these balloons were out of stock. Same was the position with saffron flags.
Recitation of Sundar Kand at city temples
Different groups of locals, religious organisations and temples organised recitation of Sundar Kand.
Bhandara organised
Locals expressed their joy by organizing Bhandara (community feast) at several places. According to a rough estimate, Sangam city witnessed nothing less than 500-600 bhandara. The magnitude of the numbers could be gauzed by the fact that in Sulem Sarai market, there were 16 points of community feasts. These numbers were even higher near the Magh Mela area where different organizations had organized bhandaras.
Restaurants refrained from serving non-veg
Likewise, several restaurants of the city announced that they will not be serving non-veg cuisines for today. “To show our respect for Lord Ram and celebrate the moment, we have decided that there will be only vegetarian dishes being prepared in our kitchen and severed to our customers”, said Mohit Roy, owner of a famous restaurant of Civil Lines.
Colourful processions
Likewise, number of processions too were taken out in the city. In one such procession, both men and women were joined by the little kids in celebrating the day. Braving the winter chill, the participants of the procession were dressed in ethnic attire and danced to the tune of Ram bhajans which were played by the DJ’s that accompanied these processions.
Similarly, in other processions taken out in Chowk and Katra, an actor, dressed in the attire of Hanuman, led the procession and Lord Ram, Laxman and Sita were seated on the chariot. Locals were seen showering flower petals on the procession as it passed through the streets. The participants of this procession were shouting slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Har-Har Mahadev’. Thousands of children, youth and women participated in the procession with Ramnami saffron stole around their neck. Even the ambulance association took out a procession.
City decorated like Diwali
The entire city was celebrating another form of Diwali in the evening. Although there were not many vehicles plying on the roads and almost all the markets too were closed, crossings, government buildings, private colonies, markets and temples were decorated with colourful lights. As locals rejoiced the occasion, many of them burst crackers to show their happiness. To meet the sudden demand, several roadside vendors had put up their stalls selling crackers, earthen lamps, candles and garlands. In several localities, people had even lighted lamps in the night.
Rampath showcases glory of Lord Ram
A grand Rampath has been made on Sardar Patel Marg of Civil Lines by Vyapar Mandal. The life story of Lord Ram and his ideals from the childhood incident of Ramcharitmanas to the Kishkindha Kand are depicted in attractive frames and posters. The traders along with the guests worshiped Lord Ram and distributed prasad among the people. “It is not only about rejoicing but people want to imbibe the principles of Lord Ram and the entire life of our Ram inspires every common man”, says the president of the Vyapar Mandal, Shushil Kharbanda.
Ayodhya proceedings telecast on huge LED’s
Locals had made arrangements of huge LED’s at various points, especially at the sites of bhandaras. The live telecast of the proceedings of Ayodhya was being shown on these LED’s as people were enjoying prasad. LED’s were installed at Magh Mela area too.
Shortage of orange
colour balloons
As different roads and apartments had decorated their places with orange coloured balloons, the shops selling these balloons were out of stock. Same was the position with saffron flags.
Recitation of Sundar Kand at city temples
Different groups of locals, religious organisations and temples organised recitation of Sundar Kand.