Ramnavmi shobyatras pass peacefully in North Gujarat

Palanpur, Mar 27 (UNI) Ramnavmi shobhayatras were taken out throughout North Gujarat with pomp and ceremony. Even smaller towns of the region did not lag behind in enthusiasm.

Among the processions, Mehsana's was said to be the biggest in not only the region but in the state.

According to organising secretary of the Rathyatra Mr R S Shekawat, more than two lakh devotees thronged the town from across the district. It is the biggest show to be seen in the state.'' Amid blowing of conches, pealing of bells and drumbeats, the biggest Ramnavmi shobhayatra of the state began with a thousands of devotees pulling the decorated rath reminiscent of the Jagannath rathyatra of Puri and Ahmedabad.

Right from morning, the Para Chowk and Azad Chowk from where the procession set out had turned into a vast sea of humanity.

According to district police chief S K Dave, tight police bundobust was provided, especially at sensitive places like Kasba and meat market. ''We have made elaborate security arrangements in view of the large gathering in the city,'' he said.

A large police contingent including two Dy SPs, inspectors, sub inpectors and hundreds of policemen was deployed for the shobhayatra for maintaining a tight vigil over the largest Ramnavmi congregation to avoid any untoward incidents, he said.

A part of the Ahmedabad highway's four-lane was blocked for vehicular traffic passing through Mehsana town.

The main feature of the one kilometre long procession was the inflated, huge balloon elephant that stole the show. Besides, there were inflated horses too seen in the decorated trucks and trolleys and as many as 17 tableaux presented episodes from Ramayana.

UNI