Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya joins celebrations virtually; announces plans for permanent Deep Stambhs and annual Ramleela programmes
Prayagraj: The sacred city of Prayagraj glowed with the light of lakhs of earthen lamps as grand Deepotsav celebrations were organised at Maharishi Bharadwaj Ashram, Shringverpur Dham and other river ghats on Friday.
The celebrations were organised to promote folk culture, art, literature, traditional practices and local talent while reconnecting people with the state’s cultural heritage.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya joined the celebrations virtually and congratulated the organisers and participants for conducting the event on a grand scale.
Addressing the gathering through a live broadcast, Maurya said the Deepotsav would be organised on an even larger scale every year. He described the celebrations at Bharadwaj Ashram and Shringverpur Dham as the beginning of a new cultural tradition in Prayagraj.
He also stressed the need to strengthen the cultural and religious connection between the two historic destinations. He suggested that pilgrims visiting Shringverpur should also visit Prayagraj and those coming to Prayagraj should include Shringverpur in their itinerary.
The Deputy Chief Minister directed officials to prepare an action plan in coordination with elected representatives to promote visits to both destinations.
Permanent Deep Stambhs and Ramleela planned
Maurya announced that permanent Deep Stambhs (lamp pillars) would be constructed at Maharishi Bharadwaj Ashram and Shringverpur Dham. He directed the concerned authorities to initiate the necessary action.
He also proposed organising a Ramayan Mela and regular Ramleela performances at Bharadwaj Ashram, along the lines of the celebrations at Shringverpur Dham.
Emphasising the importance of cultural education among younger generations, he said Ramleela performances would help children and young people understand their traditions and cultural roots.
Ramayana-themed cultural attractions
The Culture Department organised a special illustrated manuscript exhibition based on the Ramcharitmanas at Shringverpur Dham. Folk artists presented theatrical performances based on the Ramayana at both Bharadwaj Ashram and Shringverpur.
The programmes combined traditional performances, religious themes and community participation, drawing large numbers of visitors.
At the Bharadwaj Ashram event, Rajya Sabha MP Radhakant Ojha, Legislative Council member K.P. Srivastava, BJP Mahanagar president Sanjay Gupta, BJP vice-president Kritika Agrawal, City Magistrate Vinay Kumar Singh, Basic Education Officer and Manuscript Officer Ghulam Sarwar were among those present.
At Shringverpur Dham, the Deputy Chief Minister’s virtual address was broadcast live. Phaphamau MLA Guru Prasad Maurya, Chief Development Officer Harshika Singh, District Development Officer G.P. Kushwaha, Umesh Dwivedi and other public representatives and officials attended the celebrations.
The Deepotsav marked an effort to establish annual cultural programmes at Prayagraj’s historic religious sites while encouraging tourism and preserving traditional forms of art and performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=RtToJsBhYBatUrym&v=mOuYNSdhjHA&feature=youtu.be
