Patna: Ram Navami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama, resonated with fervent devotion as devotees thronged temples across Bihar. From the iconic Hanuman Mandir in Patna to temples in various districts, devotees offered prayers in large numbers, marking the auspicious occasion.
As evening descended, vibrant processions adorned the streets of every city, including Patna, where throngs of devotees traversed various routes before converging at the Dak Bungalow Crossing and Hanuman Mandir. The presence of lakhs of Ram devotees underscored the significance of the festival in the hearts of the people. Among the attendees were Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who witnessed a mesmerizing performance of Shiva Tandav by a devout Ram devotee.
At the Mahavir Mandir located at Patna Junction, elaborate arrangements were made to accommodate the steady influx of devotees. A queue stretching over three kilometers formed outside the temple, with arrangements for jaggery, gram, and cold water ensuring the comfort of those awaiting darshan.
However, amidst the spiritual fervor, a potentially disastrous incident was averted during the afternoon aarti at the Mahavir Mandir. A fire broke out in the flower decorations outside the sanctum sanctorum, but swift action prevented any casualties, with over 200 people present in the temple at the time.
In Siwan, Hina Shahab, the wife of former MP Shahabuddin, exemplified communal harmony by serving water and sherbet to Ram devotees during the procession. Meanwhile, in Kishanganj, women donned saffron turbans and rode Bullet motorcycles in a procession, while devotees in Araria were seen swinging swords as a symbolic gesture of devotion.
Shobha Yatras, or grand processions, also graced the streets of Chhapra, Gaya, and Motihari, adding to the festive spirit across the state. In Patna, 54 puja committees organized Shobha Yatras, which wound through various streets before culminating at the Dak Bungalow crossing. Heavy security arrangements were put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the procession.
