Ajj Sarovar site in Kharar draws huge crowd on Dasehra

Dasehra was celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm in Mohali and Kharar on Thursday evening.

The Ajj Sarovar Dasehra Ground in Kharar witnessed the biggest crowd in the area with an estimated 50,000 devotees witnessing the ceremony. As the effigies were lit amidst chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, the ground lit up with the flashlights of thousands of mobile phones with people recording the spectacle.

A Shobha Yatra of 21 floats, including Indian Army, deities and Mahatma Gandhi, remained the attraction of the day. Ajj Sarovar, spread over around 152 kanals, is associated with Lord Rama’s grandfather Maharaja Ajj. Locals from nearby villages and a sizeable population of migrant workers from UP and Bihar inhabiting Kharar and Kurali took part in the celebrations.

However, this year the number of migrant families was relatively less, said residents.

Elaborate arrangements were made as towering effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad were burnt amidst chants of “Jai Shri Ram” in Phase 1, Sectors 79, 77, 70, 85 and 105 and Balongi.

Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal and Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu attended the celebrations at the Sector 77 venue while MLA Kulwant Singh was the chief guest at the Sector 79 event.

Heavy rush and jam-like situation was witnessed on all major roads of Mohali from 6 pm to 7 pm as people flocked to Dasehra venues. Cops had a tough time managing the traffic, especially on Airport Road.

Earlier, anti-sabotage teams of Mohali police conducted a thorough check at all the function venues to ensure public safety and prevent any untoward incident.

Thousands of devotees converged at the Dasehra ground in Balongi to witness the manifestation of victory of good over evil.

In Mullanpur Garibdas, thousands of people from nearby villages gathered at the Dasehra ground to celebrate the occasion for the 58th year. Folk singers and artists also performed on the occasion. Political leaders of the area also marked their presence in the ceremony. Elaborate security arrangements and crowd control measures were made at the venue to prevent any untoward incident.