In a major change in traditional route followed by the devotees in Nagar Parikrama (City circumambulation) during the famous Jhanda Fair, Mahant Devendra Dass has decided that this time the Parikrama would not go through some areas to avoid traffic congestion. The Parikrama is held on third day of the fair and a virtual sea of devotees throng the major roads of the city both to participate in it and have a glimpse of it. The Parikrama would be held on Wednesday.
In the traditional route of Parikrama, the devotees start from Darbar Sahib and reach Kanwali road from here it heads to Chakrata road via SGRR School and reach Clock Tower. From Clock tower the Parikrama used to take route of Darshan lal Chowk- Saharanpur Chowk- Gandhi road- Prince Chowk to reach lakkhibagh.
As per the new plan the Parikrama would be diverted from Clock Tower to Paltan Bazaar to reach lakkhibagh. The new plan would ensure that traffic snarls are not witnessed around busy Darshan lal Chowk- Saharanpur Chowk- Gandhi Road- Price Chowk road as Parikrama would avoid these places this time. The coordinator of Jhanda Fair, V K Nautiyal said that the decision to change ages old route was taken by the Mahant Devendra Dass himself for public convenience. He informed that the Parikrama would start at 9 am and would be led by Mahantji. Nautiyal said that a Sangat of more than 25000 would take part in the ceremony of Nagar Parikrama. The Sangat would be showered with flower petals by the devotees on the entire route. The Sangat would take rest at SGRR School, Bindal; here the devotees would sing devotional songs and offer refreshments to the Sangat.
Meanwhile an atmosphere of religious enthusiasm prevails in the premises of Shri Darbar Sahib. On Tuesday the Sangats from different parts of the country were addressed by Devendra Dass, the tenth Mahant of Udaseen sect. In his address Mahant Dass urged the ‘Sangat’ to come forward for leading an ideal life.
He exhorted them to work towards preserving the environment, de-addiction among youths and getting rid of the social evils. He delivered knowledge about attaining ‘Moksha’ and being free vicious circle of life and death. Devendra Dass said that everyone must ensure his/ her role in nation-building by trying to become ideal person and ideal family. He also delivered the ‘Guru Mantra’ and elaborated the significance of ‘Guru Mahima.