Vishwashanti Mahayajna at Shankareswar Mahadev Peetha
Kakatpur, Date: 21/1 — At the Shankareswar Mahadev Peetha, located in Phanaphana village under Suhanpur Gram Panchayat of Kakatpur Block, Puri District, a grand Vishwashanti Mahayajna (Great Sacrificial Ritual for World Peace) was conducted over four days for the welfare of the world. The final offering (Purnahuti) of the Yajna was performed on Friday.
On the first day, after the temple gates were opened in the morning, Lord Shankareswar Mahadev was given a ceremonial holy bath (Maha Snana). This was followed by Mangal Arati, Surya Puja (worship of the Sun God), worship of the attendant deities (Parshva Devata Puja), invocation of all deities (Sarva Devadevi Aavahan), and finally the sacred Rudrabhishek of Lord Mahadev.
From the Rohana Kunda Math near the holy Prachi River, 108 water-filled pots (Jalakalasha) were brought in a grand procession and placed near the Yajna altar. Following this, the Vedic Brahmins commenced the sacred Yajna rituals.
As the main ritual participants (Karta-Karti), Ramesh Chandra Panda and Bishnu Priya Panda performed 1008 ghee offerings into the fire, after which the final offering (Purnahuti) of the Yajna was conducted.
Near the temple, close to the shrine of Goddess Tentuli Devi, a Gita Yajna was held along with Chandi Path (recitation of Devi Mahatmya). At the shrine of Lord Shankareswar Mahadev, uninterrupted Nama Sankirtan (chanting of holy names) took place, accompanied by discourses (pravachan) and devotional music programs (bhajan samaroh) at night.
The four-day event attracted large crowds from Suhanpur, Amapada, Baliupar, Raes, and many nearby villages.
This entire religious event was organized with devotion and dedication under the leadership of Minati Panda, a founding member of the Shankareswar Religious and Charitable Trust, and Professor Radhashyam Panda, a trustee of the organization.
