Shaiva Shrines Abuzz with Devotees for Jagar Festival
Kakatpur, 24/02/2025 (Tushar Dixit):
As the auspicious Jagar approaches, the atmosphere at various Shaiva shrines across the region has become vibrant and spiritually charged. From devotional Harinaam chants to preparations for global peace yajnas, every Shaiva Peeth in Puri district — especially along the Prachi river basin — is buzzing with activity.
In particular, the annual Jagar and the 34th Vishwashanti Mahayajna began at the sacred Ishwarnath Temple in Jiunti village, Astarang Block. The four-day event will culminate on Maha Shivratri, the night of Lord Shiva’s cosmic appearance. Rituals commenced on Sunday with Shala Sanskara, Jala Aharana, Ankuraropana, and Shubhadhibasa, followed by Rudrabhishek and Saptashati Chandipath on Monday, officially marking the start of the Mahayajna.
Organized by the Gopabandhu Youth Social Organization of Jiunti, this year’s event is led by Debendra Das as the Karta and Manjulata Das as the Karti. All religious rituals and yajna ceremonies are being conducted by priest Amulya Kumar Kar with active support from the villagers.
Simultaneously, at the Someshwar Temple on the main Kakatpur–Astarang road, preparations for the Jagar are in full swing. The Sevak Committee has arranged for continuous Nama Sankirtan, a community fair (Harihaat), and large-scale prasad sevan for nearly 3,000 devotees following the lighting of the Mahadeepa.
The event is being managed by Sevak Committee President Manoranjan Panda, Vice President Kamal Lochan Dixit, Secretary Pavitra Kumar Dixit, and key members including Himansu Bhushan Dixit, Pradeepta Kumar Dixit, Ashok Kumar Dixit, Santosh Kumar Dixit, Mangal Prasad Panda, Sukanta Kumar Das, Bibhuti Bhushan Panda, Harihar Dixit, Karuna Kar Senapati, Shib Prasad Patra, Purendra Nayak, Rajendra Mallik and others — all working collectively to ensure the festival’s spiritual success.
Massive crowds are also being observed at the Someshwar and Ishwarnath Peeths, where manasik (spiritually vowed) devotees are lining up to fulfill their prayers and receive blessings.
