Ayodhya brims with devotees for wedding procession of Lord Ram

A vast multitude of devotees, including almost 250 godmen, turned up to witness the start of Ram Baraat in Ayodhya.

The Ram Baraat procession has been organised by Hindu nationalist organisation, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

It will start from Ayodhya, the birthplace of the Hindu Lord -King Ram and culminate in Janakpur in Nepal on November 24. The procession will pass through Azamgarh, Mau, Buxar, Aara, Patna, Hazaribagh, Baghnagri, Muzaffarpur Sitamarhi, Ahaliya Sthan and Madhvapur.

The history of Ram Baraat is said to be around 125 years old, when Lala Kokamal, a cloth merchant, started the tradition of the three-day festivities, revolving around the royal wedding.

The marriage procession observes the marriage between Saint Shaligram who represents Lord Ram and the holy Basil plant, which represents Sita, wife of Lord Ram.

Senior VHP leader, Ashok Singhal, said that the occasion witnesses a sea of devotees from Nepal as well.

"Last year, a large number of devotees of Lord Ram from all across India took part in the procession. Many devotees from Nepal also arrived. In fact, you can say that the whole of Nepal was there to attend the procession. Such was the strength of devotees who turned up, that no road, street or ground could contain them all," said Singhal.

A part of the ceremony is also held in Nepal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be in Nepal for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) meet on November 27-28, will also be attending a ceremony on November 25. However, he will not participate in the main event of the procession.

Singhal further said that Modi attending a ceremony of the procession was an auspicious sign.

"PM Modi had already planned to visit Nepal and it is sheer coincidence that we have our Tilak (sacred red spot on forehead) ceremony on the same day. This ceremony has been observed for ages in Nepal and I believe that Mr. Modi's programme coinciding with our ceremony is an auspicious sign," added Singhal.