The Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Murti Darshan Yatra, that had entered the city last evening, passed through the city in the morning and proceeded towards Jalandhar in the afternoon. The Yatra carrying a six feet high golden "murti" of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji was welcomed by a sea of devotees from different walks of life, who showered the yatra with flower petals.The Yatra had entered the Ludhiana district from Moga side yesterday and passed through Jagraon, Raikot, Sudhar, Mullanpur and other parts of the district before halting at Verka Milk Plant in city last evening. Yesterday, the Yatra was welcomed by ADC (General) Dr Rishipal Singh in the city.Today morning, the Yatra started from Verka Milk Plant in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Mr Ravi Bhagat and passed through Ferozepur Road, Jagraon Bridge, outside Railway Station, Clock Tower, Mata Rani Chowk, Salem Tabri and Jalandhar Byepass, before proceeding towards Jalandhar in the evening.It is pertinent to mention that the Punjab government, in association with various organisations of Valmiki community is organising Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Murti Darshan Yatra. It was welcomed by CM Mr Parkash Singh Badal from Shambhu on November 20 and after passing through various parts of the state, this Yatra would culminate at Amritsar, where Bhagwan Valmiki Ji's Murti would be installed at Ram Tirath in Amritsar, which has been renovated by the government using Rs 100 crore.
While speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Mr Ravi Bhagat recalled the contribution of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji in the cultural assimilation of society and said that Bhagwan Valmiki Ji was the “Pitaamah” of Sanskrit language and first poet or the Adi Kavi of the world who by his immortal and masterpiece composition the “Ramayana” propagated the message of victory of good over evil. He also said that great epic has from centuries taught the way of life to the people and has been a lighthouse of the ethical and moral living for the people which were far more relevant in the present materialistic society. He urged the people to follow the path and high ideals shown by Bhagwan Valmiki Ji so as to carve out an egalitarian society.Prominent among those present on the occasion included Mr Vijay Danav, Mr Ashwani Sahota, Mr Naresh Dhigan, Mr Laxman Dravid, Rampal Dhigan, Raj Kumar Sathi, Pinka Chandalia, Vijay Manav, Ravi Sherpur, Raj Kumar Sahota, Ravi Bhalia, Vicky Sahota, besides several others.