Under the guidance and mentorship of Shri Mahant Devendra Das Ji Maharaj, the historical ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation) was carried out in Dehradun city. The Doonites welcomed this ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation) amidst shower of flowers over the ‘Sangats’. Throughout the route of ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation), the Doonites did the shower of flowers and the whole route echoed with the praise slogans of Shri Guru Maharaj Ji. On the third day of the birthday of Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji Maharaj, third day of the aarohan (ascension) of Shri Jhande Ji, this ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation) is carried out. The Doonites flocked in thousands in numbers throughout the route to give a hearty welcome to this ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Round). At every step of the route, the ‘Sangat’ devotees got a warm welcome. Throughout the route, Doonites had arranged for langar (holy food) and refreshment for the Sangat devotees.
The ‘Sangat’ devotees and the Doonites received the fortunate of being blessed by Shri Darbar Sahib’s ‘Sajjade Gaddi Nashin’ Shri Mahant Devendra Das Ji Maharaj.
The historical ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation) started from Shri Darbar Sahib premises at 7:30 a.m. in the morning. The ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation) reached Shri Guru Ram Rai Public School, Bindal via Saharanpur Chowk and Kanwali Road. Here the ‘Sangat’ devotees were distributed with ‘prasad’(holy food) of ‘Chana’ ‘Murmura’ and ‘Gur’ (jaggery). From there, the ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation) reached Tilak Road, Tagore Villa and then to Clock-tower. When the ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation) reached the clock-tower, it seemed that everything stopped and went still for a few moments. The Doonites on the melodious voice of musical instrument ‘dhol’ (drum) welcomed the ‘Guru Sangat’ with open arms. The ‘Sangat’ devotees used to raise praise slogans of Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji Maharaj and the Doonites used to shower the ‘Sangat’ devotees with flowers. In order to witness this great sight, thousands of Doonites had gathered at Clock-tower and nearby areas. From Clock-tower the ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Round) reached in front of Lakhi Bagh Police Station through Paltan Bazar. Then the ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation) went to Ritha Mandi and then reached Shri Guru Ram Rai Public School, Bombay Bagh. Here the Sangat devotees were distributed the ‘prasad’ of sugarcane. After this, the ‘Sangat’ went and bowed down at the cemetery of Brahmleem previous Shri Mahants ‘Samadhi Sthal Shri Mahant Sahiban’ (emetry of previous mahants). After this, the ‘Sangat’ reached back at Shri Darbar Sahib where the ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Round) came to an end at 11:45 a.m. ‘Sangats’ numbering more than 25,000 (Twenty Five Thousand) participated in the ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation). The Doonites had arranged for warm welcome and refreshment for the ‘Sangats’ doing the‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation) throughout its route. During the ‘Nagar Parikramma’, many dignitaries, MLAs and office-holders of different political parties, etc. welcomed the ‘Sangat’ devotees with the shower of flowers.
The ‘vidai’ (farewell) of the ‘Sangat’ and ‘Masandas’ took place at Shri Darbar Sahib at 5 p.m. in the evening. At 6 p.m. in the evening, the ‘prasad’ (holy food) of happiness was distributed.
‘SANGATS’ AMUSED WITH THE WARM WELCOME OFFERED BY THE DOONITES: SHRI MAHANT DEVENDRA DAS JI MAHARAJ
Speaking over the occasion, Sajjade Gaddi Nashin of Shri Darbar Sahib, Shri Mahant Devendra Das Ji Maharaj said that every year the ‘Sangat’ devotees from India and abroad reach Dehradun to be a part of the ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation) every year, the Doonites display a lot of affection, care and love for the ‘Sangat’ devotees. In order to receive that love, ‘Sangat’ devotees reach in huge numbers every year. Shri Maharaj Ji said thanked the Doonites for the successful organizing of Shri Jhande ji fair and the warm welcome offered to the ‘Sangat’ devotees by the Doonites. Shri Maharaj ji also praised the Doonites for displaying the spirit of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (guests are angels) for the ‘Sangat’ devotees.
In his message, Shri Maharaj Ji also showered his divine blessings over the ‘Sangat’ devotees and the Doonites and wished that they may always be blessed by Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji Maharaj.
Shri Mahant Devendra Das Ji Maharaj expressed thanks and gratitude towards police, administration, Nagar Nigam, Media personnel and all the Doonites for assisting in the successful organizing of Shri Jhande Ji Mela.
MOST OF THE SANGAT DEVOTEES OF OTHER STATES GO BACK TO THEIR HOME
On Friday, after the prasad (holy food) of ‘khushi’ (happiness) was distributed at Shri Darbar Sahib, most of the ‘Sangat’ devotees returned to their home states.
THE ‘SANGAT’ DEVOTEES GOT FILLED WITH THE HOLY COLOURS OF SHRI GURU MAHARAJ JI
The ‘Sangat’ devotees danced enthusiastically over the holy songs like, ‘Aaj di ghari roz roz aave’, ‘Mela khusiyon da aanda hai her saal’. During the ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Round), the ‘Sangat’ devotees were found filled in with the holy colours of Shri Guru Maharaj ji. The ‘Sangat’ devotees danced over the rhythm of the musical instrument ‘dhol’ and presented gifts in the memory of Shri Guru Maharaj Ji.
More than 25,000 ‘Sangat’ devotees including old, young, women and children participated in the ‘Nagar Parikramma’ (City Circumambulation).
