Temple town celebrates Lord's birth sans threat

AYODHYA (FAIZABAD): Ram Navmi, the day, which marks the birth of Lord Ram was celebrated with religious fervour and enthusiasm amid tight security arrangements in the temple town.
This is perhaps for the first time in the last several years, that the occasion is being held in Ayodhya without any significant threat perception.
About 10 lakh devotees took holy dip in river Saryu on Tuesday morning and paid darshan to all major temples including Kanak Bhawan, Hanumangarhi and Nageshwarnaath.Establishing an unique example of communal harmony, the members of the Muslim community also came forward with a helping hand to Hindu devotees, who came to the temple town to celebrate Ram Navmi from far off places.
The birth day of Lord Ram is enthusiastically celebrated on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra by devotees from all walks of life in Ayodhya on Tuesday. Celebrations begin with a prayer to the Sun God early in the morning. At noon, when Lord Ram is supposed to have been born, a special prayer is performed to mark the auspicious moment.
People sing devotional songs in praising Lord Ram. Rathyatras or chariot processions of the Lord, his wife Sita, brother Lakshman and devotee Hanuman are held from many temples. People gather in lakhs on the banks of Saryu for a dip. Some observe a strict fast on this day.
"There was no extremist threat to this large religious gathering. But, we have made all possible arrangements to ensure the security of devotees," said a police officer. He said there was no threat and mela was held peacefully.
Mohammad Naeem, Raees Ahmad, Abdul Hafeez, all members of temple town's social organisation Ayodhya Ki Awaz along with Mahant Yugal Kishore Sharan Shastry, the convenor of the organisation and chief priest of Saryu Kunj temple of Ayodhya and other Muslim volunteers were active in assisting the devotees.
"We have arranged drinking water and first-aid at various points of the city to help the devotees," said Raees Ahmad, a Muslim youth who was distributing packets of drinking water to devotees.
He added, "These Hindu devotees, who come to Ayodhya to celebrate Ram Navmi are like my personal guests, so, I am trying to serve them up to the best of my abilities."