Varanasi :
The city wore a festive look as Ashtami, the eight day of Navratri, was celebrated on Wednesday. The celebrations were visible at Bharat Sewashram Sangha (BSS) as several devotees thronged the sangha to witness the traditional Durga puja celebrations here.
Established in 1936 by Acharya Swami Pranabananda Maharaj in Varanasi, Bharat Sewashram Sangha has been celebrating Durga Puja in traditional and grand way ever since. Devotees from all across the country as well as from abroad have been visiting the Sangha to attend various cultural programmes held as a part of the puja celebrations.
“I have been coming to BSS during Durga Puja since 1996 and the celebrations are much like my hometown Kolkata. After marriage I am living here and I miss Kolkata. Like every Bengali I feel the craving to visit pandals of my hometown, but after visiting here I feel the same essence of puja celebrations here. Besides, unlike Ramkrishna Mission in Kolkata, there are no limitations or time constraints here at BSS. The ancient ‘Laathi Danda Khela’ is my favourite,” said Anjana Rani Saha, resident of Kamaccha area.
“Every devotee has his own traditional beliefs and those who have been associated with Sangha always make it a point to be here during Durga puja celebrations. Every year, a three-day programme is organised along with a grand ‘Hindu Dharma and Sanskriti Sammelan’ in evening. Prior to the Sammelan, the revelers can witness one of the ancient art form, an exquisite ritual of our pandal – acrobatic performances ‘Laathi-Chhura-Talvar’ and display of yogic asanas,” general secretary of BSS, India, Swami Biswatmananda told TOI on Wednesday.
Earlier, a ‘shobhayatra’ from Kamaccha to BSS in Sigra was taken out on Mahashashthi on October 19, witnessing participation of scores of number of people. Like previous years, the display of symbolic warfare by volunteers of math-mandir added to the glamour. “The procession has always been a significant part of Durga puja celebrations as the idol of goddess Durga is brought to the Sangha with pomp and show. The Trishankha puja aarti in the evening also witnesses a huge crowd of devotees,” said Swami Biswatmananda.
A dhrama sammelan was held on ‘Importance of Sangha on National Integration’ on Wednesday. Earlier, on Tuesday, the sammelan was held on the topic, ‘Importance of sacrifice and religion in ancient culture’. The final sammelan on ‘Contribution of Swami Pranabanandaji in Social Solidarity’ will be held on Thursday. A grand idol immersion procession will be taken out on the tenth day of Navratri on October 23.
On the recent idol immersion row, Swami Biswatmananda said, “I believe that as a citizen we must adhere to HC’s order on ban of idol immersion in the Ganga. But, at the same time I think the administration could have followed something on the lines of immersion done in Kolkata. In that way, the age-old tradition and beliefs of people would not have been affected.” “We have spoken to district administration and would immerse the idols in a pond near Rajghat area where Ganga water would be sprinkled on the idols,” he added.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Varanasi / by Punkhuri Kapoor, TNN / October 22nd, 2015