The world-famous Mahavir Mandir in Patna Junction opened its doors for Ram devotees at 2:15 AM on Wednesday, marking the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. The entire temple premises and surrounding areas reverberated with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” as devotees eagerly awaited the opportunity to pay their respects to Lord Rama.
Devotees Queue Up from Late Night:
Eager Ram devotees started forming queues as early as 10 PM on Tuesday night, determined to not miss a moment of this holy celebration. By midnight, thousands had joined the lines, with a significant number of youth and women participating. To cater to the large influx of devotees, a pandal was erected from the temple’s northern gate to Veer Kunwar Singh Park (Harding Park), providing shelter from the sun. Separate lines were designated for men and women.
Jagran Aarti and Temple Gates Open:
At 2 AM on Wednesday, a Jagran Aarti was performed in the Garbhgrih (sanctum sanctorum), where Hanuman and Ram Darbar are enshrined. Shortly after, at 2:15 AM, the temple gates were finally opened for the eagerly waiting devotees.
Eight Priests from Ayodhya:
To ensure a smooth and efficient prasad offering process, eight additional priests were called in from Ayodhya, bringing the total number of priests to 14.
Main Pooja and Birth Aarti:
The main puja for Ram Navami commenced at 10 AM at the dhwaj sthala (flag pole) located within the Mahavir Mandir premises. This puja involved the worship of the three temple flags, followed by their replacement. At noon, the Janm Aarti (birth aarti) of Lord Rama was performed, marking a significant moment in the celebrations. Devotees then received prasad (roti and halwa) as a blessing. Interestingly, 170 devotees had booked slots to hoist their own flags at the temple, and the priests of Mahavir Mandir performed a special puja for these flags at 1 PM. A live telecast of this event was available on the Mahavir Mandir Facebook page, allowing devotees unable to be present to participate virtually.
Governor and CM Welcome Shobhayatra:
Adding to the grandeur of the occasion, a grand event was planned for Ram Navami at Dak Bungalow Chowk. The Governor and Chief Minister of Bihar were scheduled to receive the Shobhayatra (procession) there, further showcasing the significance of the festival in the state.
