The followers (Sangats) of Sri Guru Ram Rai immersed the city in religious festivity on Sunday during the ceremonial procession which involves Parikrama of the important places of Dehradun. After Parikrama, the Sangats from Punjab and other parts of the country were given blessings and farewell by Mahant Devendra Dass.
The ‘Parikrama’, which started from Shri Guru Ram Rai durbar Sahib in the morning, was attended by thousands of the devotees who chanted Sabats (holy verse) and Kirtanas on the way. The procession went through Saharanpur Chowk, Kanwali road, Tilak raod, Clock tower, Reetha Mandi, Bhandaribag, lakhibag and culminated at Darbar Sahib at 1.30 pm. The procession was greeted whole heartedly by the residents of the city during the Parikrama. The holy procession was offered refreshments and garlands by the locals on the way. The procession took rests at Guru Ram Rai public schools at Bindal, Bhandaribag and Mahant’s Samadhi at lakhibag during the city Parikrama.
Mahant Devender Dass offered blessing to the devotees at the culmination of the Parikrama. The Jhanda Fair in charge BP Saklani informed The Pioneer that Mahant Devendra Dass offered Siropa (headgear), Amulet and Prasad to many Mahants and Malangas — religious leaders -— of the sect and called upon them to follow the principles of Shri Guru Ram Rai Maharaj. The Sangats from Punjab and other places were given farewell after the distribution of traditional Khushi Prasada; Mahant Devender Dass thanked the Sangats for participating in the Jhanda fair and asked them to come again in next year’s fair. The departure of the Sangats started with the culmination of city Parikrama and from Monday, the Jhanda Fair would be a local affair.