SHILLONG: It was a propitious moment for the devotees as the Maha Jagaran Rath or chariot arrived here on Saturday from Guwahati in commemoration of the two-day concluding ceremony of the centenary celebration of Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS), a worldwide philanthropic organization.
The ambience was electrified by blowing of conch shells and ulu dhwani (a vocal sound made by a group of women) amidst presence of devotees carrying holy water on brass pots.
The chariot in lead followed by a rally of about hundred vehicles – all brandishing triangular saffron flags on bamboos – as they went through various localities of the city while halting briefly at selected places to allow devotees to offer their obeisance.
Women poured holy water from brass pots on the chariot – where life-size statues of Srimat Swami Pranavananda Maharaj, founder of BSS, along with the idols of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman was erected.
The chariot reviewed its maiden reception, in the city, at the Gorkha Durga Temple at Lukier Road followed by Last Stop (Laban), Rilbong, Barik, RR Colony (Rynjah), Matri Mandir (Polo) before culminating at the BSS Ashram at Jail Road.
In all these places, when the chariot – constructed in the form of a tableau on the body of a truck – was seen approaching from distance, women blew conch shells, while their male counterparts burnt incense sticks as the fragranced aura welcomed the auspicious moment.
Similar receptions were also given all the way from the BSS Ashram at Kalapahar, Guwahati from where the parade started till Umiam (Barapani) in Ri Bhoi. A short drizzle just on the arrival of the chariot at Barapani could not dampen the enthusiasm of the devotees who were waiting anxiously.
Police escort vehicles, one each at the front and tale, coupled with patrol police on two-wheelers not only steered the rally flawlessly but also ensured that there was no traffic related issues in the routes in which the chariot moved.
The two districts – Ri Bhoi and East Khasi Hills – administration put in place elaborate security arrangements in order to thwart any untoward incident.
The snaking of the chariot and the rally was equally maintained by BSS volunteers and Central Puja Committee members – who were seen managing public/devotees reception at various parts of the city.
