Nagpur: The grand shobhayatra from Rajabaksha Hanuman Mandir, was the centrepiece of Hanuman Janmotsav celebrations in the city on Thursday, drawing large crowds and setting the tone for a day marked by devotion, scale and community participation.Led by elaborate rituals, the procession featured over 80 chitraraths (tableaux) depicting episodes from the life of Lord Hanuman and other mythological themes, accompanied by continuous chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Bajrangbali ki Jai”. A towering idol of Hanuman on the lead float and a series of vibrant tableaux added visual grandeur, as the procession moved through key localities, including Rambagh, Medical Chowk, Reshimbagh, Nandanvan and Sakkardara, before returning to its starting point.A parallel procession from Gittikhadan Hanuman Mandir also saw a surge of devotees, with cultural displays, welcome points and performances along its route. Across the city, temples hosted continuous recitations of Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarkand, along with abhishek rituals and aartis from early morning till late night. The streets were adorned with saffron flags and festive decorations, while chants echoed through temple precincts and procession routes.At Tekdi Hanuman Mandir in Gawlipura, one of the largest mahaprasad events saw an estimated 3.5 lakh devotees partake in the community feast. Prepared with ingredients sourced from across regions and supported by a large volunteer base, the initiative continued its long-standing tradition of extending food distribution beyond the temple premises to hostels, hospitals and the underprivileged.Beyond Nagpur, the scale of celebrations was equally significant at Hanuman Lok in Jamsawali, where nearly 6 lakh devotees gathered on the occasion. The recently developed religious corridor witnessed a surge in footfall, with midnight mahabhishek, maha-aarti and devotional programmes forming the highlights. Bhajan performances and ongoing Ram Katha discourses added to the spiritual fervour, while elaborate arrangements by the administration ensured smooth movement and access for devotees.With lakhs participating across events, Hanuman Janmotsav this year stood out for its scale, coordinated planning and widespread community involvement.
