Virad Hindu Samavesh begins in Mysore

Mysore : Virat Hindu Samavesh, a mammoth Hindu rally, took off to a colourful start with an impressive Shobha Yathra. The yathra was flagged off by Sri Mummadi Chandrashekhar Shivacharya Swamiji of Aramane Japadakatte Mutt, who offered flowers to the portrait of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari that was placed in Keshava Ratha, a flower bedecked goods auto, at 9 am sharp, the scheduled time.

The disciplined processionists, numbering more than 10,000, started marching when the Swamiji offered puja to Nandi Dhwaja. Lok Sabha members C.H. Vijayashankar, MLC Tontadarya, Reception Committee Working President O. Shama Bhat and former MLA A. Ramdas were present. Men, women, children as well as elderly persons, wearing saffron bands on their heads, arms and wrists, chanted slogans hailing Hindu religion as they marched through Chamaraja Double Road to reach Maharaja College Grounds, the venue of Samavesh. The procession looked like a saffron wave with everyone holding the saffron flags aloft. Hundreds of processionists came in groups from different localities to join the main procession, after performing puja at temples in their respective lo-calities.

The Keshava Ratha carried huge portraits of Guruji late M.S. Golwalkar, the second Sarsangchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Swami Vivekananda, Subhash Chandra Bose along with Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. There were many cultural troupes in the procession. Many children, donning the roles of Goddess Bhuvaneswari and Swami Vivekananda, accompanied the procession. The processionists splashed saffron colour on each other and burst crackers all through. More than 300 motorcycles, tempos, lorries and cars followed the procession. A large number of Policemen, including the Mounted Company Police accompanied them. Some youths wore saffron T-shirts. Saffron posters, banners and flags dotted the entire procession route. Slogans like Jai Hindu Sanathana dharma; We swear on Lord Rama; We will build Ram Temple, come what may; We are Hindus, we are one; We are prepared for friendship, we are prepared for war too and “Why are you afraid of calling yourself a Hindu though you are born as a Hindu?” were heard as the processionists marched forward.

The Samavesh at Maharaja’s College Grounds commenced exactly at 10.30 am, after most of the processionists reached the venue as the Swamijis offered flowers to the portrait of Bharatha Matha. Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt graced the occasion. Sri Mummadi Chandrashekhara Shivacharya Swamiji, Sri Trinetra Mahanta Shivayogi Swamiji of Baby Mutt, Swami Jagadatmanandaji of Sri Ramakrishna Sharada As0hram, Ponnampet, noted novelist Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa, MLA H.S. Shankaralingegowda, former MLA A. Ramdas, RSS South Zone Karyavah Dr. K. Prabhakar Bhat, Zonal Sangh Chalak M. Venkataramu, Guruji Birth Centenary Zonal Committee member Marichamaiah, Shivabasappa (JD-S candidate in the recently held election for Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency) and other dignitaries were present on the dais. Former Vice-Chancellor Dr. K. Chidanandagowda presided. Praveenbhai Thogadia, International General Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishat, arrived at the venue with heavy Police escort at 11.30 am.