Hyderabad: The streets of Hyderabad turned bright with saffron colors on Sunday as thousands of devotees took part in Shobha Yatra processions to celebrate Ram Navami.
The main event was a large Shobha Yatra that began at the Sitarambagh temple and ended at the Hanuman Vyayamashala grounds in the evening. The narrow lanes along the route were decorated with saffron flags, and many people, including children, stood on roadsides and rooftops to watch and cheer the procession. The event was organized by the Bhagyanagar Sri Rama Navami Utsav Committee. Another procession, led by Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh, also started from Dhoolpet and later joined the main yatra.
The yatra began around 1:30 p.m. with tight security. Colorful floats carried idols of Lord Ram, Sita, and Laxman on large trucks. Huge crowds filled areas like Sitarambagh and Dhoolpet, following the 6.5-kilometer route that passed through Mangalhat, Jummerat Bazaar, Begum Bazar Chatri, Siddiamber Bazar, Gowliguda, and Koti.
Devotees of all ages danced to devotional songs and chanted “Jai Sri Ram.” Along the route, water, food, and prasadam were distributed to participants. Volunteers and charity groups also provided drinking water, buttermilk, and cool drinks.
The event ended with a public gathering at Hanuman Vyayamshala. To ensure safety, police had made strong security arrangements. Forces like the Rapid Action Force, Commissioner’s Task Force, City Armed Reserve, and Central Armed Police Forces were deployed. Officers were stationed near important religious and sensitive areas, while senior officials monitored the event from the command and control center in Banjara Hills.
