MAA KALI PRAN PRATISHTHA MAHAYAGYA INAUGURATED

MAA KALI PRAN PRATISHTHA MAHAYAGYA INAUGURATED

14-JUNE-ENG 15

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------A grand *Jal Yatra* (procession to fetch holy water) and ceremonial procession marked the commencement of the seven-day 'Maa Kali Shatchandi Mahayagya' in Lakhan Tola village, under the local Piro block's Jitaura Panchayat, on Friday. From the morning onwards, an atmosphere of religious fervor was evident among the villagers and residents of the surrounding areas. Accompanied by musical bands, drums, and devotional songs, the procession moved from the *Yagya* site to the premises of the Bahari Mahadev Shiva Temple. There, amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras and rituals performed by the learned priest *Yagyacharya* Suraj Baba, devotees filled sacred water into *Kalash* (urns) from the Shiva temple pond. Forming a disciplined queue, they returned to the *Yagya* site; young devotees carried religious flags while chanting "Jai Shri Ram," "Jai Hanuman," and "Maa Kali," while women sang auspicious devotional songs, filling the air with a spirit of devotion. This religious event has created an atmosphere of spiritual energy and enthusiasm throughout the village and the surrounding region.

Mukesh Yadav of the organizing committee stated that the week-long Shatchandi Mahayagya would feature daily religious discourses, sermons, *Bhagwat Katha*, and *Ramkatha* performances at night; arrangements for *Prasad* (sanctified food) have also been made for the devotees. He informed that the *Pran Pratishtha* (consecration ceremony) is scheduled for the 17th, followed by the *Purnahuti* (concluding ritual) and *Bhandara* (community feast) on Thursday. It was noted that such a *Mahayagya* fosters happiness, peace, and prosperity in the region while spreading a message of religious values ​​and communal harmony within society.