A large number of people throng the famous Dasehra Ground, Gandhi Nagar, along with their families to see the effigies of Ravana along with his borther Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath go up in flames as Dasehra was celebrated with religious fervour and enthusiasm in Jammu.
The festival of Navratras culminated today on Navmi with “Kanya Pujan” and immersing of “khetri” — seedlings (looking like long grass) — in the Tawi and Ranbir Canal.
Effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghnath were burnt. Residents of the city of temples were celebrating the nine nights with religious fervour, fasting for all nine days and worshipping Goddess Durga in her nine forms. All the temples in the city were highly decorated and illuminated with colourful lights. The famous Bawe Wala Mandir, Mahamaya Mandir, Shree Ranvireshwar Mandir, Shree Raghunath Mandir and others, including Chichi Mata Mandir, etc, were highly decorated with flowers and witnessed heavy rush of devotees throughout the nine holy days of Navratras.
Tight security was maintained at all the major religious places in the city during Navratras and this will continue during festive season. Metal detectors and CCTV cameras were installed at temples and markets.
A large number of religious programmes also took place in mohallas. In the evening, devotees performed “Rath Pooja” symbolising the return of Lord Rama after defeating the demon king Ravana. Thousands of people gathered to watch the burning of effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath to mark good triumphing over evil at Dasehra Ground, Gandhi Nagar, and Mini Stadium, Parade Ground.
