Ranchi: It was a riot of colours on the streets of Ranchi on Friday, and chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ filled the air as thousands descended with Mahaveer flags, traditional weapons such as swords and lathis, and musical instruments to take part in the Ram Navami processions which moved through the city from afternoon till late at night.Chief minister Hemant Soren offered prayers at the Shri Ram Janki Tapovan Temple in Nivaranpur with his wife Kalpana and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state. “On this sacred occasion, I pray that Lord Ram bless everyone with happiness and fulfils all wishes. Let us celebrate this festival with social harmony and make it memorable,” he said.
As the day progressed, massive processions passed through major thoroughfares, especially Main Road, where crowds swelled from morning till evening.The air resonated with chants of “Jai Shri Ram”, accompanied by continuous drum beats, conch sounds and devotional songs blaring from loudspeakers mounted on vehicles and pandals. Saffron flags fluttered across neighbourhoods, akhara pandals dotted key intersections, and participation from youth and women was visibly higher this year, reflecting the festival’s expanding scale.The processions, which began around 3 pm from different parts of the city, gradually converged towards Shri Ram Janki Tapovan Temple, the traditional culmination point of Ram Navami celebrations in Ranchi. The steady flow of devotees and akharas continued late into the night, with processions passing through the temple route till nearly midnight, giving the city a seamless, day-long rhythm of devotion and celebration.“The entire city feels alive today. Everywhere you go, there are chants, drums and devotion in the air; it’s an overwhelming and beautiful experience,” said Rohit Kumar, a local resident who joined the procession on Main Road.More than 15 trucks carrying elaborate tableaux formed the visual centrepiece of the celebrations, depicting scenes from the Ramayana. Around 200 akharas participated in the processions, showcasing traditional martial arts and disciplined performances.
