PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Following the raising of the new flagpole (Jhanda Ji), the Nagar Parikrama was carried out on the third day as part of the Jhanda Mela here on Friday. Mahant Devendra Das headed the procession attended by about 25,000 devotees. The Parikrama commenced at 7:30 AM from the premises of Darbar Sahib.
The people of Dehradun welcomed the procession at some spots with a shower of flowers. Langar and refreshments were arranged for the devotees at various stops along the route.
The Nagar Parikrama began at Darbar Sahib, proceeded to Shri Guru Ram Rai Public School, Bindal, via Saharanpur Chowk and Kanwali Road. Devotees were offered ‘prasad’ at various locations. The procession then moved to Tilak Road, Tagore Villa and continued to the Clock Tower. From there, it proceeded to Lakkhibagh, Ritha Mandi, and finally to Bombay Bagh, where the Sangat devotees received dmsugarcane as prasad. After this, the Sangat returned to Darbar Sahib, concluding the Nagar Parikrama at 11:45 AM.
The ‘vidai’ (farewell) for the Sangats took place at Darbar Sahib at 5 PM on Friday evening. Speaking on the occasion, Das noted that every year, devotees from India and abroad come to Dehradun to participate in the Nagar Parikrama. He expressed gratitude for the affection, care and love displayed by the people of Dehradun towards the devotees. He thanked the residents for successfully organising the Jhanda Mela and for the warm welcome extended to the devotees.
He expressed his thanks and gratitude to the police, administration and the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) along with the media personnel for their assistance in successfully organising the Jhanda Mela.
