Jammu: A nine-day special prayer for universal peace, harmony and prosperity concluded at the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami on Sunday.The ‘Shat Chandi Maha Yagya’ was organised by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB).The board’s chief executive officer Ramesh Kumar, other office-bearers, staff members and pilgrims participated in various religious ceremonies on the occasion, a board spokesperson said.The special prayer was organised for universal peace, harmony and prosperity, the spokesperson said.More than two lakh devotees visited the shrine during the Navratri festival.Elaborate arrangements were made for the pilgrims visiting the shrine.Meanwhile, after a gap of two years, a grand ‘Rath Yatra’ was taken out in Jammu on the occasion of Ram Navami. Organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust in collaboration with Sanatan Dharam Sabha and Dharmik Youvak Mandal, the procession commenced from the historic Raghunath Temple amid tight security arrangements.Jammu Divisional Commissioner Raghav Langar flagged off the Yatra along with former Minister Ajatshatru Singh, the grandson of the last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh in the presence of several prominent personalities, including Advocate Ajay Gandotra, President J&K Dharmarth Trust, Dr Gopal Parthasarthi Sharma, Secretary and Varinder Jamwal, Additional Secretary.The Shobha Yatra started from the Shri Raghunathji Temple and after passing through various markets including Residency Road, Rajinder Bazaar, Kanak Mandi, City Chowk, Purani Mandi, Link Road, Jain Bazaar, Chowk Chabutra, Pacca Danga, Moti Bazaar, Raj Tilak Road, Raghunath Bazaar returned to the Raghunath Temple.Earlier, M.K Ajatshatru Singh along with Dr Raghav Langer and Trust officials presided over the Murti Poojan at Shri Raghunath Temple. Thereafter, Rath Poojan and Dhwajarohan ceremonies were performed.Thousands of devotees comprising prominent citizens, politicians and heads of social and religious organizations participated in the Shobha Yatra. Members of Muslim brethren under the patronage of Abdul Majid also accorded a rousing reception to the Yatra enroute.Ajatshatru Singh, in his message, felicitated people on Ram Navami and prayed that this auspicious occasion would be the harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.He said that the celebration of festivals, which are an important part of our glorious heritage, strengthens communal harmony and brotherhood and reinvigorates the secular ethos. He prayed for peace and the well-being of the people of the Union Territory. Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust president Ajay Gandotra said the yatra could not be held in the past two years due to the outbreak of COVID-19.“This year we decided to organise the yatra in a big way,” he said.Tight security arrangements were ensured by the UT administration across the city for the smooth conduct of Ramnavmi celebrations. During the Shobha Yatra various senior police officers also marked their presence to make arrangements robust and incident-free.Heavy rush of devotees was witnessed at the historical Raghunath Ji temple where people made long queues to participate in “Pooja” and other holy rituals.Trust’s President expressed gratitude to the DIG of BSF, Surjeet Singh Sekhon for arranging BSF Band on this auspicious occasion in the temple premises. He also expressed gratitude to Manmohan Bhardwaj, Retd senior BSF officer who came from Delhi for participation in the Murti Poojan and Sobha Yatra.Purnima Sharma, Dy Mayor, Parshotam Dadechhi from Sanatan Dharm Sabha; Anil Sharma, President Dharmik Youvak Mandal; Pt Shiv Raina, Chairman and Members of Dharmarth Trust Advisory Committee and several other prominent persons participated
