UP: Yogi Adityanath Govt to give Rs 1 lakh to each district for Akhand Ramayana recitation and Navratri celebrations

The Yogi Adityanath led-Uttar Pradesh Government is allocating Rs 1 lakh to all districts in the state for organising special events in Shakti Peeths and temples during Chaitra Navratri, which begins on March 22.

These include recitation of ‘Akhand Ramayana,’ ‘Devi Gayan,’ ‘Devi Jagran,’ ‘Jhankis’ and ‘Durga Saptshati’ in all temples across the state. These events are likely to be held in every district, tehsil and block level. Along with these, cultural programmes will also be held, where women’s participation will be encouraged. Photographs of programmes held in the temples will be posted on the Culture Department’s website.

Two nodal officers have also been appointed at the state level to list the names and addresses of the temples where such programmes are to be held. Based on the instructions of the state’s Cultural Department Principal Secretary Mukesh Meshram, the photographs and contact details of the temples must be shared by the temples’ management board.

In the two-page order outlining the activities to be undertaken during the nine-day period, Mukesh Meshram said that the Government will run a special campaign to include women and girls in these programmes. Durga Saptashati path, Devi Gayan and Devi Jagran should be organised in temples and shaktipeeths during this period.

“Akhand Ramayan Path should be organised in main Shaktipeeth temples on March 29 and 30 on the occasion of Ashtami and Ram Navmi, in which people should be encouraged to participate and social, humanitarian and nationalist values must be propagated. For this organisation of this event, committees at the level of the district, tehsil and development block should be set up,” he said.

DMs have been asked to identify artists who will perform in temples during this period, and coordinate with the departments of information and culture on this. Information officers posted in districts will provide necessary assistance to the local administration. DMs have also been directed to invite public representatives to these events.

The department has allocated Rs 1 lakh each for such artists. People’s representatives will also participate in these events.