Howrah, Kolkata: West Bengal joined the rest of the nation on Sunday in celebrating Ram Navami 2025 with grand preparations, religious fervour, and heightened security. A major highlight of the day’s celebrations is a Shobha Yatra (religious procession) scheduled to be held in Hooghly, drawing participation from thousands of devotees.
In Howrah, security has been significantly beefed up as large crowds gathered at temples to offer prayers on this auspicious day. Streets and marketplaces across Kolkata and Howrah are adorned with saffron flags, decorative banners, and festive lighting, marking the grandeur of the occasion.
A key development in the state’s religious calendar was the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a Ram Temple in Nandigram, where Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari took part. Speaking at the event, Adhikari emphasized the cultural significance of Ram Navami and pledged support for initiatives that uphold religious traditions.
On the other side of the political aisle, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her greetings to the people of the state. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), she wrote:
“Greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. I appeal to all to maintain and uphold the values of peace, prosperity and development of all. I wish the celebration of Ram Navami all success in a peaceful manner.”
However, the celebrations have not been free from controversy. BJP leaders alleged that state authorities had denied permission for several processions, necessitating intervention from the Calcutta High Court, which directed officials to ensure peaceful celebrations, particularly in Howrah.
BJP MP Dilip Ghosh expressed his dissatisfaction, saying,
“We have to get permission from the court to participate in any program in Bengal. The government and police here do not give us permission. Ram Navami’s procession will be conducted according to the Hindu community’s rituals.”
Adding to the tensions, students from Jadavpur University also alleged that they were denied permission to organize Ram Navami celebrations on campus. Student leader Somsurya Banerjee claimed that a formal request was submitted on March 28, but the university declined the request citing the absence of the Vice Chancellor.
“We submitted a letter to the university… today we received a signed copy from the university stating they cannot grant permission as the VC is absent,” Banerjee told ANI.
Despite the hurdles, the spirit of Ram Navami remains undeterred across the state. Grand celebrations, community feasts, devotional music, and temple visits are underway, with security agencies ensuring law and order throughout the day.
The festival continues to be both a spiritual celebration and a flashpoint in West Bengal’s charged political atmosphere.
The post Ram Navami 2025: Shobha Yatra Scheduled in Hooghly, Security Tightened in Howrah Amid Festive Spirit Across West Bengal appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
