Rath, District Hamirpur: During the ongoing historic Ramleela festival at Rath city’s Ramleela ground on Sunday, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Mandal President Mohit Soni was honored on stage by the Shri Ramleela Mela Committee with a shawl. Before this, Mohit Soni also had the privilege of performing the Aarti of Lord Shri Ram during the Ramleela enactment.
It is noteworthy that this historic Ramleela has been performed in Rath city for more than a hundred years. The unique aspect of this city is that, unlike the rest of the country, where Ravana Dahan (the burning of Ravana’s effigy) takes place on Vijayadashami, in Rath, the Ramleela fair is organized after Vijayadashami, and the grand Ravana Dahan is performed on Diwali day, after enacting the complete Ramayana.
BJYM Mandal President Mohit Soni said that being honored on such a historic stage is a matter of great pride and privilege for him. He expressed his gratitude by saying that worshiping the image of Lord Shri Ram through the artists who bring the divine character to life made him feel truly blessed.
During the event, Mohit Soni added, “This is a matter of immense pride for me and my family. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Shri Ramleela Cultural Committee. This moment will always remain significant and memorable for me because this Ramleela fair and festival have been a glorious tradition in Rath city for over a century. The experience of performing the Aarti of Lord Shri Ram during the enactment is beyond words.”
He further extended his thanks to all the office bearers of the Shri Ramleela Cultural Committee, the senior members, and all well-wishers who expressed their love and affection.
A special feature of Rath’s Ramleela is the realistic and live performances by its artists. Recently, during the enactment of Ram Vanvas, the actors performed the scenes of Ram–Kevat Samvad (the dialogue between Lord Ram and the boatman) and Bharat Milap (the reunion of Ram and Bharat) so vividly that the audience was left spellbound.
At the historic Chaupareswar Temple in Rath, the Ram–Kevat Samvad was performed live. Upon Lord Ram, Lakshman, and Sita’s arrival at the Shri Hari Temple, they were warmly welcomed. After the dialogue at the temple, the scene depicting the crossing of the Ganga River was performed using a boat on the pond located within the Chaupareswar Temple premises.
