Agra, Sep 17 - Everybody in the city of the Taj is invited to the wedding. Almost everyone shows up - watching from the roadside, balconies, rooftops - as the wedding procession of Hindu god Ram moves through the lanes of Agra towards the make-believe kingdom of Janakpuri.

The three-day 'Ram baraat', which began Wednesday, has become a hugely popular event in Agra and in some ways has even eclipsed the Ramlila.

The baraat travels from the Ramlila ground, projected as the kingdom of Awadh, the kingdom of Ram, to so-called Janakpuri, capital of Raja Janak, father of goddess Sita. It covers a distance of 12 km through Agra.

On Wednesday thousands of men, women and children witnessed the show, eager for a glimpse of actors from Mathura and Vrindavan playing the part of the gods.

The procession of elephants, horses and 'baraatis' along with 100 odd tableaux exhibiting mythological characters as well as scenes with social and political messages was lustily cheered.