Religious fervour grips national capital

Anshita Mehra

New Delhi, January 22

The national capital was adorned in saffron hues on Monday as residents enthusiastically celebrated the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya.

Streets echoed with melodious tunes of ‘kirtan’ while ‘bhandaras’ were organised in various temples and localities across the city.

Shobha yatra, Sunderkand recital by AAP

• The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) organised Sunderkand recitations and shobha yatras to commemorate the consecration of Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya.
• AAP’s national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal participated in several programmes in his New Delhi Assembly constituency.
• He said, “Congratulations to all ‘Ram bhakts’ & everyone…I’m so glad that Ram Lalla’s idol has been consecrated.”
• AAP senior leader and Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj participated in the Sunderkand recitation at Sheikh Serai and shobha yatra at Shahpur Jat and Chirag Delhi.

Geeta Singh, president of Maitri Apartments in Mayur Vihar Phase 1, said, “We organised a Sunderkand path, cleaned our society in preparation for Lord Rama’s arrival, used ‘Gangajal’, and adorned our entire society. Celebrations on January 22 will now become an annual event for us.”

LED screens broadcasted the consecration ceremony, drawing crowds even in areas like Karol Bagh, where shops remained closed. The festive spirit filled the atmosphere as people gathered to witness the ceremony together on large screens and distributed sweets as ‘prasad’. The resounding chants of ‘Jai Shree Ram’ filled the air, reflecting the collective joy of the community.

Homes, societies and temples donned festive decorations akin to Diwali, illuminating the city with lights while some burst crackers during the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony.

In Ranjeet Nagar’s Shiv Hanuman Temple, a community bhandara added to the celebratory fervour. Rajesh, a resident, said, “Welcoming Lord Rama today brings immense joy as nothing can go wrong with his grace.”

The Fun Club in Ranjeet Nagar’s B Block organised a day-long pooja, followed by an evening adorned with hundreds of diyas and vibrant Rangoli designs.

Sonakshi Panda from RK Puram said houses in her locality sparkled with Diwali-like decorations. While in Badarpur, Sonam Gupta described her family’s celebration involving cleaning, rangoli-making, and home decoration.

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to light diyas and celebrate Diwali on January 22, the national capital gleamed with countless diyas.

Traders’ associations joined the celebrations, contributing to the illuminated landscape of markets across Hauz Khas, Chawri Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Sadar Bazar, Connaught Place and Chandni Chowk.

Connaught Place alone witnessed the glow of around one lakh diyas, turning the city into a dazzling spectacle of unity and festivity.