Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 13: Dussehra marking the victory of good over evil was celebrated today with religious fervour and gaiety across the Jammu region.
The functions were held at different places in Jammu region where the effigies of demon King Ravan, his brother Kumbkaran and son Megnath were consigned to flames.
In Jammu, a grand function was organized by Sanatan Dharam Sabha (SDS) at Parade Ground here in which the Minister of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma was the chief guest while BJP Legislative Party Leader and MLA Jammu East Ashok Khajuria presided over the function.
Maj Gen. (retd) Shiv Kumar Sharma and RSS Sanghchalak Brig (retd) Suchet Singh were the guests of honour. Various other dignitaries including Sant Jagpuran Dass, Swami Rameshwar Dass, Mahant of Purani Mandi temple were also present on the occasion.
Another function was held at Gandhi Nagar which was organized by Laxmi Narayan Mandir Committee and Minister of Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla was the chief guest on the occasion.
Over 12,000 people attended the function at Parade and witnessed the torching of effigies of Ravan, Kumbkaran , Meghnath and Ravan’s Lanka.
Addressing the function, Sham Lal Sharma said that society has to launch a crusade against corruption which is eating its vitals and has taken the shape of Ravan. “The corruption is greatest enemy of people in present times and we have to join hands to fight it out”, he added.
Besides, the corruption the society has to fight out the other social evils also he said, adding the prevailing evils are weakening the society and nation as a whole.
Mr Sharma used the occasion to highlight some achievements of the coalition Government and said artificial lake will be inaugurated soon while the water scarcity problem of Jammu city will also be solved as the mega project of bringing drinking water from river Chenab has been taken up in hand.
Ashok Khajuria while speaking on the occasion said the terrorism is posing the same kind of threat to present society which demon King Ravan had posed during his life time.
He said onus lies with patriotic people of the country to wage a war against terrorism like Lord Rama waged against the demons like Ravan.
Earlier, a Jhanki was taken out from historic Dewana Mandir in Pacca Danga and after reaching the Raghunath Mandir it was joined by Lord Rama’s chariot. The Jhanki after passing through various markets reached the Parade Ground in the evening where the pooja archana was performed by the devotees, chief guest and other guests to the Lord before consigning the effigies of Ravan, Kumbkaran and Meghnath to flames.
The authorities had made elaborate security arrangements for the functions and a big contingent of police was deployed at Parade ground and on the roads outside to maintain total vigil in view of Fidayeen attacks and militants threats.
Speaking at the Dussehra function held at Ram Leela Ground Gandhi Nagar, Minister of Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla said consigning effigy of Ravan to flames will not end evil from society but a crusade needs to be launched against the same.
“Instead of torching the effigies of Ravan and other demons we should contain evil spirits among ourselves to make this world a better place to live where only peace, brotherhood, co-existence and spirit of live and let live prevails” he added.
The function was also graced by former Union Minister and MLA Jammu West Prof Chaman Lal Gupta and former Minister and Congress leader Gulchain Singh Charak.
Dussehra was also celebrated at Reshmgarh Colony where a large number of people witnessed the torching of effigies of Ravan, Kumbkaran and Meghnath. Besides, functions in connection with celebration of Dussehra were held at Ram Leela Ground Janipur and Patoli Mangotrian.
Reports from Rajouri said that Dussehra which is also known as Vijay Dashmi was celebrated with traditional religious fevour in the town and the effigies of Ravan and other demons were consigned to flames at Juhla bridge in the town. The function was organized by SDS Rajouri and the civil and police officers were present on the occasion.
A grand function was held at Mendhar in connection with celebration of Vijay Dashmi festival and a large number of people including those from majority community as well as other communities participated in it.
A Jhanki was taken out from Hanuman Mandir in the town and after passing through various bazars it culminated in the temple premises where the effigy of Ravan was torched. Later the people were served with prashad.
The function among others was attended by SDM Mendhar, Romesh Kumar, SDPO, SP Amit Bhasin, Tehsildar Abdul Khyber, Naib Tehsildar, Shehzad Khan, SHO Bishnesh Kumar and Panchs and Sarpanchs of different areas of the tehsil.
Dussehra was also celebrated at Samba and Vijaypur towns with full enthusiasm and religious fervour. A large number of people participated in the functions to witness the torching of effigies of Ravan, Kumbkaran and Meghnath. Former Minister and Congress leader Manjit Singh was the chief guest and Prem Bali chairman Vijaypur Municipal Committee and Nikhil Mahajan ex chairman were among other guests at the Dussehra celebrations at Vijaypur.
Reports from Kathua said that over 20,000 people thronged Ram Leela ground in the town to participate in the celebrations where the effigies of Ravan, Kumbkaran and Meghnath were consigned to flames.
The Dussehra was celebrated at Basohli, Billawar, Bani, Hiranagar and other towns of Kathua district with fervour and enthusiasm.
A grand function was held at Sports Stadium Udhampur in connection with celebration of Dussehra.
Thousands of people participated in the celebrations where the effigies of Ravan, Kumbkaran and Meghnath were consigned to flames.
District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Yasha Mudgal, Ravindra Kumar IAS Probationer, Additional SP Udhampur Benam Tosh, president Dussehra Celebration Committee, Civil Defense Wardens and prominent people attended the function.
Earlier, Dussehra Celebration Committee took out a colorful procession which after passing through various bazaars culminated at Sports Stadium.
Reports from Reasi said that a grand function was held in the town in connection with celebration of Dussehra today.
The function was organized by Durga Natak Mandli Reasi and the effigies of Ravan, Kumbkaran and Meghnath were consigned to flames at Parade Ground Reasi in presence of thousands of people from the different parts of the district.
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