Ranchi: The state capital is all set to celebrate Ram Navami and Mahavir Jayanti on April 6 with traditional enthusiasm. Mahaviri flags will be hoisted from temples to homes, and the markets are buzzing with festive spirit. Areas such as Upper Bazar, Piska Mod, Albert Ekka Chowk, Shaheed Chowk, Morabadi, and Lalpur are filled with colorful Mahaviri flags. Shops are selling flags of all sizes, along with bamboo poles for hoisting them. Traditional weapons like swords, axes, knives, and daggers are also available in the market, reflecting the cultural significance of the occasion. Vendors have set up temporary stalls to sell pooja materials, drawing large crowds from morning till late night.
Interestingly, members of the Muslim community are actively contributing to the preparations. Traders like Mohammad Asif, Saddam, Hasan, Intyaz, and Akram, who have been making Mahaviri flags for over three decades, are busy meeting the high demand. Their craftsmanship adds to the communal harmony and festive feel of the city.
To ensure a grand celebration, Mahavir temples across the region are being cleaned and painted. Committees are actively preparing for the Akhara procession, which is a highlight of the festivities. Streets and neighbourhoods are decorated with saffron flags and portraits of Lord Ram, turning the city into a vibrant sea of devotion.
The administration is also working tirelessly to ensure peace and order during the celebrations. Police personnel have been deployed at major intersections, and the municipal corporation is focusing on cleanliness and beautification to enhance the city’s appeal during the festival.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri has issued clear directives for the upcoming Ram Navami celebrations, referencing orders from the Jharkhand High Court. The court has allowed only limited and temporary electricity supply shutdowns. The DC has instructed all Akhara committees to ensure that the maximum height of flags during processions does not exceed four meters.
He warned that tall flags, decorative floats, and elevated sound systems could pose serious risks, especially in proximity to overhead electrical lines. According to the GM of the electricity department, 11 KV power lines are typically positioned at a height of 4.6 meters, and anything exceeding this limit could lead to dangerous accidents.
The administration has emphasized several precautionary measures: while erecting flags, special care must be taken to maintain a safe distance from electric wires and infrastructure; no person should sit on the roofs of buses or other large vehicles; sound systems must not exceed the height of the vehicle they are mounted on; and volunteer marshals should be deployed to monitor the crowd closely and prevent negligence.
Devotees have also been strictly instructed not to touch or come in contact with electrical wires using any objects. Communal or provocative slogans, songs, or any controversial content are strictly prohibited. In case of any issue or emergency, the public is advised to immediately contact the nearest police officer or magistrate on duty.