Lagatar24 Desk
Dhanbad: The historic Raja Talab in Jharia turned into a scene reminiscent of Varanasi’s Ganga ghats on Sunday, as a grand Ganga Aarti and lamp festival was held amid the glow of thousands of diyas, conch blasts, bells and chants of “Har Har Mahadev” during the holy month of Kartik.
Event Held on Initiative of Jharia MLA and Dhanbad Mayor
The programme was organised on the lines of Banaras on the initiative of Jharia MLA Ragini Singh and Dhanbad Municipal Corporation Mayor Sanjeev Singh. Thousands of devotees from Jharia and across the coalfield region gathered to witness it.
Bhajans Open the Spiritual Evening
The event began with devotional performances by Jamshedpur’s well-known bhajan singer Abhishek Pathak and his team. Devotees swayed to the music, and the entire pond premises soon became immersed in a devotional mood.
Banaras Priests Lead the Aarti
The most moving moment was the Ganga Aarti conducted by Acharya Randhir and other priests who came from Banaras. As it began with traditional rituals, the atmosphere echoed with Vedic chants, conch sounds and bells. The simultaneous lighting of lamps made the view of Raja Talab spectacular, with devotees joining with folded hands and many capturing the moment on their mobile phones.
Rajmata Sujata Singh Honoured
During the programme, Rajmata Sujata Singh of the Jharia royal family was honoured on a stage built in the middle of the pond, with MLA Ragini Singh and Mayor Sanjeev Singh presenting her an angvastra and seeking her blessings. The Rajmata appeared emotional. Singer Abhishek Pathak and his team were also felicitated.
Effort to Develop Raja Talab as Religious Tourism Site
Ragini Singh said Raja Talab is not merely a water body but a symbol of Jharia’s historical, religious and cultural identity. The event aims to keep old religious traditions alive and give the pond a new identity, and efforts will continue to make it clean, beautiful and well-organised, and a major centre for religious and cultural activities. She expressed happiness at the turnout, saying the enthusiasm of Jharia’s people was the event’s biggest success.
