Patna: Preparations for this year’s Ram Navami celebrations in Patna have reached their final stages, with organisers outlining plans for a large-scale procession featuring cultural performances, elaborate tableaux and the presence of prominent political and public figures.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, BJP national president and convenor of the Shri Shri Ram Navami Shobha Yatra Abhinandan Samiti, Nitin Naveen, said the festival symbolises Indian culture, faith and dignity, and helps promote social harmony. He added that efforts had been made to make this year’s procession “historic and memorable”.
Actor Arun Govil, known for portraying Lord Ram in the television series Ramayan, will be a key attraction in the procession. Actor and MP Manoj Tiwari is also expected to participate and perform devotional songs during the event.
Organisers said that processions will converge at Shri Ram Chowk near Dak Bungalow from two directions, where a central stage has been set up. Several dignitaries, including Governor Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, chief minister Nitish Kumar, BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi, and deputy chief ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha, are expected to welcome the processions and perform aarti.
The Dak Bungalow area, also referred to as Shri Ram Chowk, is being decorated with lighting installations from Kotwali to the station roundabout. The city is being adorned with arches, decorative lights and Ram flags, while the main stage has been designed with figures of Lord Ram and Hanuman.
Organisers said the event will include a Mumbai-based band party, a dance troupe from Jharkhand, a Ganga aarti team from Kashi and Nihang participants from the Sikh community. Tableaux depicting scenes from the Ramayana are expected to be a central attraction of the procession.
The number of tableaux has increased significantly over the years. From eight in 2011, the figure rose to nearly 50 in 2025, and organisers said entries from 55 locations are expected this year. The format and presentation of tableaux have also evolved during this period.
According to members of the organising committee, expenditure on the event has grown from around Rs 20,000 in 2011 to an estimated budget exceeding Rs 9,000,000 this year.
The tradition of organised tableaux in Patna began in 2011, inspired by similar celebrations in Hazaribagh, with participation from local artists and neighbourhood groups. Since then, the event has expanded into one of the city’s most prominent annual religious and cultural gatherings.
