Following the initiative of the State’s Culture and Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj to establish a global identity for the religion-based tradition, heritage and culture of Uttarakhand and to facilitate cultural exchange between India and Nepal, a Ram Barat was taken out from the state for the first time to Janakpuri in Nepal.
Maharaj said that this first time activity is a matter of pride for the State. This initiative will further strengthen Indo-Nepal relations while also sustain the link between the ancient cultural heritage of the two nations. In the past, the Ram Barat used to go from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh to Nepal. This is the first time when it was organised by the Cutlure department of Uttarakhand.
The Ram Barat started at Devprayag on November 28 and then reached Lucknow in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. From there it progressed to Butwal where it met the Ram Barat from Ayodhya. On November 30, it travelled via Hitauta to Hariwan to reach Janakpur.
There on December 1, the marriage ceremony of lord Ram and goddess Sita was held as per traditional rituals. From Devprayag in Uttarakhand, the Ram Barat covered a distance of 1067 kilometres to reach Janakpur in Nepal. There, on December 2, a ceremonial send off was held at Janaki temple in Janakpur. A large number of devotees were also among those present on the occasion.
