Social media is buzzing with the video of Saba Naqvi terming Ram Mandir-associated activities as ‘Bakwas’. In the real world, Hindus are energised by the ‘Coming of Ram in Avadh ‘.

The year was 2017 and the deep-utsav in Ayodhya had taken place. We were posted in Mumbai and our Dhobhi, hailing from Ayodhya, had returned after his Diwali holiday. The first thing he told me was ‘Madam, Ram Ji has returned to Ayodhya, we all felt him there’! I felt Goosebumps and my eyes moistened.

Years down, on 2 January 2024, in Mussoorie, I experienced the ecstasy of the Return of Shri Ram in Avadh. ‘Shri Ram Pujit Akshat Kalash Yatra’ was scheduled in Mussoorie on 2 January. The experience was both exhilarating and humbling.

Mussoorie is very cold at this time and normally residents, especially women, hesitate to come out until the sun is up and it’s sunny. Yet, Women clad in yellow saris made their way to Landour along with children, elders and youth.

The energy at the starting point was astounding. No one felt the freezing cold, many were walking barefoot. The Kalash, after being worshipped, was installed on the top of a car. It was covered by marigold garlands. Some enterprising youngsters had bought a small Van with speakers belting out Ram Bhajans. Though the programme was organised, it was organic. The Yatra started from one end of Mussoorie and the route was about 3 km, with steep slopes, through the Mall Road.

There was magic in the Yatra – the narrow hill streets were crowded with residents, especially women, dressed in yellow saris, waiting with garlands, petals and Arti thalis. Surprisingly, despite crowds, everyone got a chance to touch the Kalash, place a garland, do puja, and shower petals! Despite the crowds, no one felt crowded. Every 100 meters or so, residents had organised petal showers, Prasad and food. Some were distributing laddoos, some halwa, one place hot Kadhi-chawal was being distributed. Despite hundreds in the Yatra, there was no trampling or crowding. Everyone partook the Prasad smoothly.

At some points, fireworks were organised. Some points had hot tea and pakoras. And the whole way had residents lining up to welcome the Yatra. From 12 noon till about 4 pm, the Yatra continued with chanting of ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

The slopes where we would normally huff and puff were climbed effortlessly, women from adjoining villages broke into impromptu dances while climbing the slopes. Was this the magic of Shri Ram? On a freezing January day, one was blessed with bright sunlight and somehow we did not feel the cold!

I could not believe I walked 3 km plus, chanting Jai Shri Ram for close to 3 hours and yet did not feel tired or thirsty. There were hundreds of women, strangers felt known, we all were Ram Bhakts, celebrating his coming. Women were singing ‘Avadh mei Ram aaye hai’ and dancing. The youngsters were playing ‘Shri Ram Janki baithe hai mere seene mei’ in their Van. Everyone was celebrating the way they wanted.

At a point called Jhoolaghar, the Yatra was sprinkled with flower petals from a cabin of ropeway. The Jhoolaghar has a high mast National flag, and spontaneous chants changed to ‘Vande Mataram Jai Shri Ram ‘. At that moment, one felt what the Coming of Ram meant for the nation.

One common thread running through the Yatra was a feeling of wonder that Shri Ram Mandir is now a reality and that we are having a Yatra with Pujit Akshat Kalash. After having Prasad of bread pakoras and tea at the library Chowk Gurudwara, the yatra culminated at the adjoining Laxmi Narayan temple. The Kalash was placed in front of the murtis and then hundreds of women and men sang ‘Om jai Jagdish hare’. The arti had a special significance, every word had a deep context. Hundreds sang the same arti, through centuries this faith kept Bharat and Sanatana alive. Post Arti, everyone recited the Hanuman Chalisa.

There were poor, there were rich, there were so-called Dalits, Sikhs, Jains – all had only one Identity – Ram Bhakts at that moment! The Yatra brought together people of different hues. At every point, residents got together to distribute Prasad of various types. There was an abundance of food, the fragrance of flowers, the aroma of incense and dhoop and the vibrancy of colours! What a glorious civilisation Bharat must have been when it was invaded. The same spirit kept Hindus rebuilding demolished temples and safeguarding their religion.

The yatra caused minor traffic jams, but there were no fights or scowls. The tourists and vehicle owners were all smiling, chanting Jai Shri Ram, bowing their heads and folding their hands when the Kalash passed by. Shopkeepers, roadside vendors, all had joyful faces and Jai Shri Ram chant on their lips.

A simple Yatra of Shri Ram could bring much joy, enthusiasm and oneness – there is magic in the very utterance of Jai Shri Ram. The hate-filled rants against Shri Ram, RamMandir, Ram Bhakts seem so superficial in the face of the on-ground experience of total joy across the nation. It is these rants which are ‘Bakwas’, not the return of Shri Ram.

Image source: INA News