
SURAT, April 7: A procession of devotees, beginning from Varachha Road and passing through the main thoroughfares of the city on Wednesday, marked the beginning of week-long celebrations prior to the inauguration of Umiyadham8217;, a temple dedicated to Umiyamata. The installation of the deity will be held amidst a number of ceremonies between April 10 and 14.
Close to 50,000 devotees travelling on foot, two and four-wheelers, marched through the Varachha Road, Station, Bhagal, Chowk, Nanpura, Athwa Lines, Parle Point and Ring Road areas before reaching the temple on Varachha Road.
The procession began at around 9:30 am and concluded at 6 pm, special branch ACP M B Pethani said. An ACP, six PI8217;s, one company of SRP and 5000 swayamsevaks of the Kadwa Patel Samaj monitored the procession to effect smooth flow of traffic in almost all parts of the city on the east side of the Tapi.
Built at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crores by the Umiya Parivar Trust, the pran pratishtha and sahastrachandi mahayagna ceremonies to mark the inauguration of the temple, will be held over a period of five days beginning Saturday. Organisers said at least five lakh devotees from all over the state were expected to be present for the ceremonies.
Among others, Water Supply Minister Narottam Patel, Swami Sacchidanadji, will be present for the function.