Hisar: Devotees were left spellbound upon hearing the narratives of Sati's life and the episodes involving Lord Shiva during the 129th Shri Ramnavami Festival, organized by the Shri Ramlila Committee, Katla. The *Katha Vyas* (spiritual narrator), Bhavesh Krishna Bhardwaj—who had arrived from Shridham Vrindavan—filled the atmosphere with deep faith and reverence as he recounted the story of Mother Sati. Sati, the daughter of King Daksha, married Lord Shiva against her father's wishes; later, witnessing the insult directed at her father, she immolated herself in the sacrificial fire (*Yajna Kund*). Indeed, this act stands as a symbol of the pinnacle of love, sacrifice, and devotion. During the event, a tableau depicting the divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati was also presented. Witnessing the majestic aura of the trident-wielding Shiva and Mother Parvati, all the devotees spontaneously bowed their heads in reverence.
*Katha Vyas* Bhavesh Krishna Bhardwaj stated that every human being must engage in the chanting (*Kirtan*) of God's name and should make it a point to listen to the *Shri Ram Katha* (the story of Lord Rama) whenever an opportunity arises. He remarked that no matter how many times one listens to the *Shri Ram Katha*, by the grace of the Lord, the desire to hear it again and again continues to awaken within the heart. He added that if a person ever grows weary of listening to the *Shri Ram Katha*, it is truly their misfortune. Bhavesh Krishna Bhardwaj further observed that just as water and food are essential for the physical body, devotional hymns (*Bhajans*) and spiritual gatherings (*Satsang*) serve as nourishment for the soul.
Highlighting the glory of *Satsang*, *Katha Vyas* Bhavesh Krishna Bhardwaj explained that if one receives three rare forms of divine grace, one can consider their spiritual journey successfully accomplished. The first grace is the attainment of a human birth; the second is the awakening of a desire for one's own spiritual salvation within the heart. Driven by this sentiment, a person becomes eager to participate in *Kirtan*, *Satsang*, and spiritual discourses. The third and greatest grace bestowed by God is the opportunity to listen to the *Shri Ram Katha*—an act for which one should be willing to set aside a hundred other tasks.
On the second day of the *Shri Ram Katha* series, the Mayor of the Municipal Corporation, Praveen Popli, served as the Chief Guest, while businessman and social worker Amit Singhal presided over the proceedings. On this occasion, Raghuvir Goyal, Jagdish Tayal, Mohit Singhal, Anil Gupta, Naveen Kumar, and Shiv Kumar Mittal were present as Guests of Honor. On the second day, Satish Bansal and Kavita Bansal performed the *puja* (worship ceremony) along with their family, while Prem Bansal (of Siwani) contributed to the arrangements for the *Prasad* (sacred food offering).
A large number of dignitaries were present on this occasion, including Dr. Subhash Sharma, N.K. Goyal, Sajjan Gupta, Anil Mahajan, Sohanlal Singla, Rajesh Sharma, Keshav Singal, Ashwini Sharma, Prem Kashyap, Sunil Kumar, Deendayal, Ashok Gupta, Sitaram Singal, Naveen, Pankaj Garg, Vinod Jindal, Rajendra Bansal, Harish Goyal, Niranjan Goyal, Ashish Jain, and Janakraj Gupta.
During the event, the President of the Ramlila Committee Katla—Vinod Gupta—was present, alongside Secretary Lalit Goyal, Treasurer Ramesh Kumar Lohia, Vice President Anoop Bindal, and Joint Secretary Rajkumar Jain. Additionally, Executive Committee members Vinod Kansal, Rajesh Bansal, Radheshyam Agarwal, Dinesh Jain, Praveen Singal, and Chandrabhan Soni were notably in attendance.
Vinod Gupta, President of the Ramlila Committee Katla, announced that on March 22—the fourth day of the festival—events depicting the *Bal Leela* (childhood exploits of Lord Rama), the bestowal of grace upon Ahilya, and the divine marriage of Lord Rama (*Shri Ram Vivah*) will be organized. On March 23—the fifth day—devotees will have the opportunity to witness and reflect upon the episodes of Lord Rama's departure to the forest (*Shri Ram Van Gaman*), the encounter with Kevat, and the noble character of Bharat (*Bharat Charitra*). He noted that there is immense enthusiasm among devotees regarding the Ram Navami festival being celebrated by the Katla Ramlila Committee. Several social and religious organizations are also extending their support to this event.
He further informed that on March 27—the final day of the festival—a grand Ram Navami procession (*Shobha Yatra*) will be taken out. This procession will commence from Goenka Sadan at Devi Bhawan, traverse through various markets of the city, and eventually return to its starting point. Upon its return, a massive community feast (*Bhandara*) will be organized for all the devotees.