This story is from November 6, 2018

Ayodhya out on streets as Shobha Yatra taken out on Diwali

Ayodhya out on streets as Shobha Yatra taken out on Diwali
The Yatra saw many artists including those from Jharkhand, Ambedkarnagar, Karnataka and even Faizabad
AYODHYA: Drums beating loud, chants of Jai Shri Ram, music and dance with artists from all over the country showcasing their skills, recreating the Treta Yug when Ram came back to Ayodhya after exile, was how the ancient town of Ayodhya woke up on Chhoti Diwali, that fell on Tuesday.
As the government organised the second consecutive Diwali celebrations in the temple town on Tuesday, the Shobha Yatra was taken out from Saket Degree College, covering more than 3 kilomteres to reach the Ram Katha Park amid a crowd of onlookers, locals and tourists as they rejoiced in the homecoming.

As many as ten tableux depicting the life of Lord Ram- from his birth to marriage with Sita and the story of their exile, Sita-Haran to their return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan, were taken around the ancient city and welcomed by keen onlookers.
Since it was the second year for the Shobha Yatra, it was also the second time for the many artists who took part in the procession.
Among these were the five Muslim brothers from Dausa village of Rajasthan, who, in their flamboyant costumes and make up, sat atop one of the tableux, greeting locals with a Jai Shri Ram every now and then.
These included Shamshad who was dressed up as Narad Muni, Akram as Laxman, Salim as Ram, Fareed as Bholenath and Naushad as Hanuman. Their cousin Annu Khan was also part of the Vanar sena.
"It feels great to be back to Ayodhya for the second time and be part of the grand celebrations. This has been our ancestral profession since several generations where we have dressed up as the many characters of the
Hindu mythology and been part of Ram Lilas and processions such as this one," said Shamshad, who has been following his ancestral profession of a 'Behrupiya'.
As the Yatra passed through the town, every terrace and each street remained jam packed with people. Clicking photographs and showering flowers on the tableux to seek their blessings, the Yatra saw many other artists including those from Jharkhand, Ambedkarnagar, Karnataka and even Faizabad.
The Shobha Yatra was part of the many celebrations to be held in Ayodhya all through the day on Tuesday. These included the ground breaking ceremony of the memorial of the Korean Queen to be done by the first lady of Korea, illumination of three lakh diyas to be done in the evening at Ram ki Paidi, laser and water show and performance of Ram Lila by various troops.
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