Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 24: An impressive ‘Shoba Yatra’ was taken out on the eve of Krishan Janamashtami today by Dharmarth Trust in collaboration with Sanatan Dharam Sabha (SDS), Jammu and other religious and social organizations. The Shoba Yatra which started from Raghu Nath Ji Temple here after passing through various markets culminated at in the Temple premises later. Earlier, before the start of Shoba Yatra the Pooja of Jhankis was performed by Sanatan Dharam Sabha at Geeta Bhawan which was followed by pooja of Shoba Murti and Swaran Rath at Raghunath Temple by the Trustees of J&K Dharmarth Trust at a grand function.
The idols of Lord Krishna and Radha decorated on Swaran Rath (Golden chariot) led the Shoba yatra. The chariot was pulled by Pujaris and Pandits (scholars) of Raghunath Temple. It was preceded by six horse riders decorated in traditional Dogra dress. The Golden chariot was followed by dozens of Jhankis depicting different aspects of Lord Krishna’s life. The volunteers of various religious and social organisations also accompanied the Shoba Yatra. They were chanting religious hymns and singing Bhajans.
Before the Shobha Yatra, Pooja was performed by Trustee of J&K Dharmarth Trust, led by Vikramaditya Singh (MLC) along with president of the Trust B R Kundal, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu Danish Rana, SSP Jammu, Dr Sunil Gupta and a large number of devotees participated in the Pooja. The people in different bazaars had erected welcome gates to greet the Shoba Yatra which was also given a rousing reception by the members of Muslim Community at Khatikan Talab where over 100 prominent members of the community had gathered to greet the Shoba Yatra to keep the traditional and age old brotherhood alive for which Jammu has always given a lead in testing times.
The members of the community led by Muslim Federation had not only erected the welcome gates in the market to receive the Shoba Yatra in a befitting way but they also garlanded the organizers of the Yatra, hugged them and offered juice and ice cream to the devotees.
The authorities had made elaborate security arrangements en-route and a big contingent of police and CRPF was escorting the Shoba Yatra. To avert any untoward incident the top police officers were also accompanying the Yatra.
Scores of Jhankis taken by various social and religious organizations on tractor trolleys and other four wheelers depicting different aspects of Lord Krishna’s life from his birth to Mahabharta, were the main attractions of the Shoba Yatra.
The Jhankis from Sanatan Dharam Sabha, ISKCON, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Natak Samaj, Raghunath Mandir, Deewana Mandir and Purani Mandi Mandir formed the part of Shoba Yatra. Students of Sanskrit Mahavidhyalay Birpur also participated in this religious event reciting the Vedic hymns.
People enroute, had made beeline to pay obeisance to Lord Krishna, whose Swari was taken out in a fully decorated Rath.
The Shoba Yatra, passed via Shalamar Chowk, Hari Market, Residency Road, Shaheedi Chowk, Rajinder Bazar, Kanak Mandi, City Chowk, Purani Mandi, Old Hospital Road, Link Road, Jain Bazar, Chabutra Chowk, Panjtirthi, Mubarak Mandi, Pacca Danga, Moti Bazar, Sabzi Mandi, Raj Tilak Road, Purani Mandi and culminated at Raghunath Bazaar.
The Shoba yatra was coordinated by Secretary J&K Dharmarth Trust Shashi Khajuria, Staff members and Pujaris of the Trust were also present in the Shoba Yatra.
All the temples are illuminated and decorated with flowers and beautiful buntings, in connection with Janamashtami celebrations and midnight prayers tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Krishan Janamashtami was celebrated at Swami Kumar Ji Geeta Satsang Ashram Muthi with gaiety and religious fervour. Seven day long Prabhat Pheri taken out by the Ashram from August 17 also culminated today. A Nagar Maha Kirtan started from Muthi Ashram to Buta Nagar Ambphalla, Bantalab, Barnai, Anand Nagar Bohri, Chinore , Talab Tillo, Muthi Neel Sheel Vihar and later culminated in the Ashram.
The Maha Abhishekh of Lord Krishana was performed during the midnight. During the celebrations, Swami Kumar Ji threw light on the teachings of Bhagwat Geeta.
An impressive Shoba Yatra was also taken by the inmates of TRT Nagrota today. The Shoba Yatra passed through Nagrota Bazar with large number of devotes participating in it. They were chanting the bhajans in praise of Lord Krishna. The Shoba yatra later culminated in the TRT. The devotees enroute showered flowers and paid obeisance to Lord Krishana.
Impressive Shoba Yatra on these of Krishan Janamashtami was also taken out in Udhampur town by Sanatan Dharam Sabha Udhampur today. The Shoba Yatra started from Chabutra and later culminated at SDS Office Chabutra after passing through main bazaar, Gole Market, Dabber Chowk, Mukherjee Bazar, Ramnagar Chowk, Court road , Dhar road, Venus Chowk and Talab Salian. A large number of devotees of Lord Krishna participated in the Shoba Yatra who were singing Bhajans in praise of Lord. The Shoba Yatra was led by Dr Yogeshwar Gupta president SDS, Udhampur. MLA Udhamnpur Pawan Gupta also participated in the Yatra.
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