Patna: Patna witnessed a surge of devotion as lakhs of devotees converged mainly at the Mahavir Mandir and the Panchrupi Hanuman Temple to celebrate Ram Navami. The festivities began in the early hours of Friday with temple doors opening at 2am and 1am, respectively, to accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims.At Mahavir Mandir, an estimated four lakh devotees offered prayers, marking the largest gathering the temple has seen since 2019. Despite intermittent rainfall, enthusiasm remained high as chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Jai Siya Ram” echoed across the temple premises throughout the day.Internal rituals began shortly after midnight, involving the cleaning of the sanctum and specialised prayers before the public was granted access. At the Panchrupi Hanuman Temple, a one-hour internal prayer session preceded the 3am public opening, where approximately 1.5 lakh devotees eventually gathered.The scale of devotion was evident in the long queues. For men, the line stretched as far as the BPSC secretariat, while for women it extended up to the Patel Nagar Kali Mandir. At Mahavir Mandir, the peak of the celebration came at “Prakatya”, marking the birth hour of Lord Rama. The moment was signalled by the unveiling of a portrait of Ram Lalla by temple trust secretary Sayan Kunal and justice Sanjay Kumar, accompanied by a shower of rose petals and the ceremonial replacement of all temple flags. This was followed by the ‘janm aarti’.Mahavir Mandir reported the sale of over 22,500kg of Naivedyam, including two special 51kg offerings presented to the idols of Hanuman. Similarly, at the Rajvanshi Nagar temple, priests offered 10 quintals of Naivedyam and 11 quintals of regular laddoos, followed by a “Chhappan Bhog” offering of 56 varieties.The atmosphere inside the temples was further enriched by the singing of Sohar, aarti and other congratulatory songs. Technical and aesthetic arrangements also played a key role, with the Rajvanshi Nagar temple using specialised laser lighting and elaborate floral decorations curated by artisans from Kolkata.Administrative and political figures remained present through the day to oversee arrangements and participate in the rituals. Among those visiting the temples were BJP national president Nitin Nabin, deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha and JD(U) state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha, besides several other ministers and legislators.The Mahavir Mandir management introduced a new tradition this year by honouring the first 10 devotees to complete their darshan — seven men and three women — with sacred shawls and prasad.To ensure safety and comfort for the vast crowds, temple committees and district administration deployed volunteers and security personnel, while providing essential services such as drinking water and medical aid. The day’s events concluded with a recognition ceremony for the officials of 52 tableaus that participated in the citywide processions.
