MAHAKALI PUJA CELEBRATED

MAHAKALI PUJA CELEBRATED

29-AUG-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR---------------------------The annual Sri Mahakali Puja Festival was celebrated with grandeur and deep devotion on Friday at Gajadharganj (Ward No. 20) on Station Road. A large number of devotees participated in the annual *Panchit Puja* and festival held at the Sri Mahakali temple complex, offering prayers to Goddess Mahakali and seeking blessings for happiness, peace, and prosperity.

Organized by the Sri Mahakali Puja Committee, the event kept the temple premises immersed in an atmosphere of devotion throughout the day. Amidst *bhajan-kirtan* (devotional songs), devotees appeared deeply engrossed in spiritual fervor, while the temple complex echoed with chants hailing Goddess Mahakali.

Guests attending the program were honored by the committee with *angavastras* (ceremonial stoles). Subsequently, *Prasad* (sacred offering) was distributed among the devotees and attendees.

The committee stated that the festival included a *Jalarpan* (water offering) ceremony held from August 13 to August 28. The idol of the Goddess was installed on August 19, and the *Chhappan Bhog* (offering of 56 delicacies) took place on August 26. The annual *Panchit Puja* concluded grandly on Friday, August 28.

The series of religious rituals continues; *Kanya Pujan* (worship of young girls) and the distribution of traditional *Khichdi Prasad* are scheduled for Saturday, August 29. Following this, the immersion of the Goddess's idol will take place on August 31. Throughout this period, the Goddess's *Aarti* and *Shringar* (ritual adornment) are being performed daily at 8:00 AM, with an additional *Aarti* held at 7:00 PM.

Rahul Kumar, Secretary of the Puja Committee, stated that this festival is organized annually through the immense grace of Goddess Mahakali and the cooperation of devotees. He noted that devotees participated with great enthusiasm and reverence this year as well, further enhancing the grandeur of the festival. Committee members played an active role in making the event a success, including President Vijay Kumar Raut, Treasurer Rohit Gupta (Dabbu), Vice President Bipul Kumar Bunty, Dr. Gyaneshwar Singh, Deputy Secretary Subhash Kumar, Deputy Treasurer Saroj Kumar, Deepak Gupta, Durgesh Yadav, Bajrangi Thakur, Advocate Mahesh Kumar, Abhishek Kumar, Nikhil Kumar, Aryan Gupta, and Santosh Chaurasia.

The annual Shri Mahakali Puja festival, held on Friday, infused the entire Gajadharganj area with a spirit of devotion, marked by faith, *bhajan-kirtan* (devotional songs), spirited chants, and the distribution of *prasad*.