Jamshedpur : Colourful processions marked Ramnavmi celebrations in the city on Wednesday. Devotees in large number participated in the celebrations with members of several Akhara committees displaying dare devil acts through out the route.
The procession comprised band and sankirtan parties formed of devotees coming from other parts of district especially for the occasion. It was much fun-filled and colourful affair.
This year, 157 akhara committees participated in the procession and went through several areas before culminating on the banks of River Subernarekha. The procession followed the old route that consisted of 25 different paths.
All the licensed akharas committees took part in the immersion ceremony which continued till late night carrying huge saffron and red flags on five major ghats namely Subernarekha (Sakchi), Kapali (Sonari), Sati (Kadma), Domuhani (Sonari) and Bhuiyandih (Sitaramdera- Sidhgora).
SSP Amol V Homkar, SDO Prem Shankar were active during the procession process.
Rathyatras or chariot processions of Ram, his wife Sita, brother Lakshman and devotee Hanuman began from various temples. Special havans were organised along with Vedic mantras.
Central peace committee secretary Lal Babu Singh admitted that this time the akhara committees were asked to restrict their members from displaying dangerous stunts.
Meanwhile, members of Sakchi Bal Mandir displayed stunts on two wheelers, while almost all the major akharas of Sakchi, Sonari and Kadma displayed stunts with traditional weapons and tubelights as devotees danced to the tune of drum beats.
Martial artistes from Manipur who had been requisitioned by Sonari-based Lalan akhara displayed their prowess while other akharas committees gave opportunity for chhau dancers to showcase their skills.
Several philanthropic persons and social and religious organisations had opened stalls selling edibles. Gates and banners of welcome were made at several places. Young and old persons enthusiastically recited keertan in the procession.
More than 3000 police force comprising district police, paramilitary forces and units of Rapid Action Police were deployed at strategic locations while riot control vehicles were put on alert at the police control room in Sakchi.
All the important routes for the procession were barricaded with district traffic police enforcing �no-entry� of heavy vehicles from morning. Plying of private and commercial vehicles also were prohibited after 2 pm on all major roads of the city.