Ayodhya. The events of Ramayana came alive on Rampath on Saturday. When the procession of live tableaux took place amid the echo of drums, dance of folk artists and chants of Jai Shri Ram, the whole of Ayodhya looked Ram-may. At some places the divine forms of Lord Shri Ram, Lakshman and Mother Sita were seen and at some places the bravery of Bajrangbali wearing a mace was seen. The tableaux based on the seven Kandas of Ramayana reminded the devotees of Tretayug.
In the procession, women artists carried drums on their shoulders and played in an attractive style. Amidst the beat of drums and cards, the acts of artists and traditional folk dances of different states turned Rampath into a stage of cultural celebration. The devotees kept gazing at the tableaux and the atmosphere kept resonating with the slogan of Jai Shri Ram. A grand confluence of faith, culture and tradition was seen in this procession taken out on the occasion of the tenth Deepotsav.
Tourism Minister flagged off
Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh flagged off the procession from Saket College. After covering a distance of about three kilometers, the procession reached Ramkatha Park. A total of 21 grand tableaux were included in it. Of these, seven tableaux were based on the seven episodes of Ramayana, while the achievements and development works of the Yogi government were displayed through 14 tableaux.
The tableaux based on Ramayana depicted Ram's birth and child's pastimes in Balkand, exile in Ayodhya Kand, exile in Aranya Kand, meeting with Sugriva and Hanuman in Kishkindha Kand, bravery of Bajrangbali in Sunder Kand and war with Ravana in Lanka Kand. The story of Uttarkand was also presented in an attractive manner. The tableaux progressing one after the other gave the audience a visual experience of the entire saga of Ramayana.
A glimpse of government schemes and development works was also seen
The development journey of the state was also given prominence in the procession. Tableaux based on themes like Jal Jeevan Mission, One District-One Product (ODOP), Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Ayushman Cashless Scheme, Clean and Green Uttar Pradesh, Vikas Bharat, Uttar Pradesh Police, Mission Shakti, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, Self-reliant Women, Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao and Defense Industrial Corridor displayed government schemes and achievements. Folk dance performances by artists from different states also added colors of cultural diversity to the event.
Deepotsav has now become a festival of the whole world: Jaiveer Singh
Seeing the grandeur of the procession, Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh said that the Deepotsav has become a supernatural, divine and grand event. The Deepotsav program to be held in the evening will also be very grand. He said that there cannot be a greater festival of pride than this for the Sanatanis. Every year we break our own previous record and this time too we will set a new record. Deepotsav is no longer limited to Uttar Pradesh only, but has become a festival of the entire world. The tableaux based on the seven Kandas are showing Ayodhya in Ram, Ayodhya in Sanatan and Ayodhya in Virasat.
Devotees appreciated the presentations of episodes from Ramayana.
Sushil Kumar of Unnao, who came to watch the procession, said that during the tenure of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the divine and grand form of Ayodhya is being seen. The festival of lights and the procession brought joy to the mind. Ram Kumar, who came from Jaunpur, appreciated the tableaux of Ramayana and the presentations of the artists. Meanwhile, Sushila of Balrampur said that the live staging of Ramkatha and the presentations of folk artists fascinated her.
The devotees present on both sides of the Rampath kept looking at every scene of the procession. Many people became emotional after seeing the forms of Lord Shri Ram. Some were seen bowing with folded hands while others were engrossed in chanting the name of Ram. The entire Rampath became devotional amidst the sound of drums, performances by artists and slogans of Jai Shri Ram. It seemed as if the events of Ramayana had come true not only in the tableaus but also in the hearts of the devotees.