Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Sept 30: Dussehra also known as Vijay Dashmi, marking the victory of good over evil like other parts of the country was celebrated with full religious fervor and gaiety across the Jammu region today.
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On the occasion, various functions and programmes were held across the region where the huge effigies of demon King Ravana, his brother Kumbkaran and son Meghnath were set ablaze by the devotees of Lord Rama in their bid to end the evil forces from the universe.
The biggest function was held at Parade Ground here which was organized by Sanatan DharamSabha (SDS) Jammu where Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh was the chief guest. A large number of people including men, women and children attended the function. As the effigies of demon King and his clan were set ablaze, the slogans Jai Sia Ram by the devotees rent the air.
Before setting the portraits ablaze, pooja -archana in a traditional form was performed by the members of Sanatan Dharam Sabha and the dignitaries who were present on the occasion. The delight of the gathering knew no bounds as the replicas of evil forces turned into ashes within minutes after being torched.
There was deafening sound from every side and noting was audible till all the thee portraits turned into ashes. First the Ravan’s Lanka was set ablaze which was followed by torching off portraits of Meghnath, Kumbkaran and Ravana.
Earlier a rath (chariot) yatra led by Swaran Rath of Lord Rama was taken out by historical Raghunath temple in a traditional way. The rath carried Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita Mata and Hanumana. After passing through various markets the Rath Yatra reached Parade in the evening which was followed by torching of the effigies of demons.
A grand function in connection with celebration of Dussehra was held at Channi where MP (RS) Shamsher Singh Manhas was the chief guest and MLC Vikram Randhawa was the guest of honour. Another function was held at Gandhi Nagar where Speaker Kavinder Gupta was the chief guest and MLC Randhawa was the guest of honour while at the function held at Belicharana, Randhawa was the chief guest. A large number of people attended these functions.
As per reports coming from other places, Dussehra was also celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety at Kathua, Samba, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Billawar, Basohli, Bani and Leh, Ladakh.
At Samba, Minister of Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga was the chief guest and a large number of people participated in the function. Ganga while greeting the people on the occasion expressed that the festival would be harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity. The function was organized by Social Youth Club Samba and Vishav Hindu Parishad (VHP). Earlier colorful processions were taken out in the town.
At Kathua, a grand function was held at Ramlila Ground where DC Kathua, Ramesh Kumar was the chief guest and a large number of people watched the function.
At Bhaderwah the festival of Dussehra was celebrated by maintaining traditional brotherhood as the members of both the communities were witness to torching of demon King Ravana and his clan.
A Shoba Yatra was also taken from main bazaars of the town and function was organized by SDS Bhaderwah led by its president Ved Kumar Kotwal.
A grand function was held at Leh in Ladakh region in connection with celebration of Dussehra festival at historical Pologround Leh. Thousands of people thronged the Pologround to witness the celebrations.
Vice Chairman of Kissan Board, Daljit Singh Chib, BJP general secretary (Org) Ashok Kaul, Deputy Commissioner Avny Lavasa and many other personalities were present to grace the occasion.
Dussehra was celebrated at Rajouri with enthusiasm and religious fervour. In Rajouri town, the people organised programme near Jhulla bridge ground and another at Jawahar Nagar. A Jhanki of Lord Rama along with Sita, Laxman and Hanuman were also taken out from Sanatan Dharam Sabha which after passing through main market in the town culminated at Dussehra Ground. Entire district administration including DC, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and SSP Yougal Manhas were present on the occasion. Similar celebrations were held at Sunderbani and Nowshera where a large number of people participated.
In Poonch also, massive Jhanki was taken out before Dussehra celebrations. MLC Pardeep Sharma, DC Tariq Zargar and SSP Poonch besides several political and social activists participated in the programme. The main function was held at Sports Stadium and people from different walks of life attended it. In Mendhar also a Jhanki was taken put from Hanuman Mandir and it finally culminated at same place after passing through main Market. SDM Rahul Yadav and SDPO, Riaz Tantray also attended the programme besides members of Beopar Mandal and others.
Speaking at the main function at Parade Ground, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh greeted the people. He said it is not possible to save the humanity without wiping the evil. He said the present terrorism corruption is also a form of evil and the world forces should unite to fight against it to make this world free of all evils.
He said Dussehra festival represents the great victory of good over evil. Ravana, Kumbkaran and Meghnath represented the evil forces while Lord Rama, Laxman and Hanuman represent the beauty of Indian culture, ethos and goodness.
Stressing the importance of celebrating such religious events, Dr Nirmal Singh said “such occasions provide us an opportunity to introspect and further improve our attitude and behaviour to become a good human being.”
Member Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, in his address, said that Dussehra is the occasion when “we should introspect and shun violence and hatred and tread on the path of good and righteousness.”
Maha Mandleshwar Rameshwar Dass of Purani Mandi temple also spoke on the occasion. He while, quoting Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta said whenever the evil forces regain control over this universe the God in the form of great Avtars and leaders comes to the rescue of human beings to rid the universe of evil forces. Linking the present terrorism to Ravana, he said” let us resolve to weed out it as Hindus believe in welfare of entire mankind not for a particular religion.”
He said there are some evils in the society at present also and “we have to take a pledge to eradicate them to make this universe peaceful and better place to live in’’.
The president of Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Bodh Raj Sharma also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the role of his organization.
The function among others was attended by Minster of State for Education and Tourism, Priya Sethi, MLAs Sat Sharma and Rajesh Gupta, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, BJP vice president Yudhvir Sethi, Vice Chairman JAKFED, Munish Sharma, former Minister and NC leader, Ajay Sadhotra, general secretary, SDS Prabat Singh Jamwal, president Bar Association Jammu, B S Salathia, senior advocate Omkar Seth and others.
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