Sakchi Rings with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ Chants as Ram Navami Aarti Lights up Jhanda Chowk

Banaras Priests Lead Grand Ram Lalla Aarti at Sakchi; Child Hanuman Contest Set for Thursday

Key Points:

• Shri Shri Bal Mandir Seva Samiti organises grand aarti and deep utsav at Sakchi Jhanda Chowk
• Priests from Banaras’s Assi Ghat lead Maha Aarti of Lord Ram in Jamshedpur
• Child Hanuman costume contest and tableaux display planned for March 26 at Jhanda Chowk

JAMSHEDPUR – The steel city of Jamshedpur was immersed in devotion on Ram Navami as Sakchi Jhanda Chowk reverberated with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ during a grand aarti and deep utsav organised by Shri Shri Bal Mandir Seva Samiti.

The event was held under the aegis of this well-known social and religious institution of the steel city. A striking Ram Lalla rangoli was created in the premises of Sakchi Jhanda Chowk by Shri Shri Bal Mandir. The artwork drew widespread admiration from the crowds that gathered at the venue.

The Maha Aarti was modelled on the famous Ganga Aarti of Varanasi. A group of priests, led by a renowned acharya from Assi Ghat in Banaras, conducted the elaborate ritual. Their chants and ceremonial offerings created an extraordinary atmosphere of devotion across the entire Jamshedpur locality. The aarti commenced at 7:00 PM to the sound of bells and conch shells.

The turnout was remarkable. Devotees thronged Sakchi in such numbers that the entire stretch was filled as far as the eye could see. Moreover, the spectacle of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir’s grand court, recreated for the occasion, drew a separate surge of devotees eager to witness it. The whole of Sakchi was illuminated with decorative lighting, lending the area a festive glow throughout the evening.

On the other hand, the festivities are set to continue the following day. On Thursday, March 26, 2026, a Child Hanuman costume competition and a display of colourful tableaux will be held at Sakchi Jhanda Chowk. Children from various parts of Jamshedpur will dress up as Bal Hanuman and present themselves at the event. The competition is expected to attract enthusiastic participation from across the city’s different localities.

The Shri Shri Bal Mandir Seva Samiti has a long-standing tradition of organising religious celebrations in Sakchi. The Ram Navami Mahotsav this year was described by those present as one of the grandest the city has witnessed. “The sight of the entire Sakchi bathed in lights and devotion was truly unforgettable,” said a local resident who attended the aarti. In addition, the participation of Banaras priests gave the event a pan-India spiritual resonance, drawing comparisons to the riverfront ceremonies of Varanasi itself.

The deep utsav component of the programme added to the visual splendour of the night. Hundreds of lamps were lit in unison, creating a luminous display that complemented the aarti ceremony. Such community-driven religious events have been a hallmark of Jamshedpur’s cultural calendar. The celebrations reflected the deep devotion of the city’s residents toward Ram Navami traditions and the broader Hindu festival season.