Special Ritual of Maa Mangala on Makar Sankranti
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, a special ritual was observed at the shrine of Maa Mangala, the presiding deity of Kakatpur. From early dawn, after the ceremonial bathing and purification of the deity, the temple doors were opened for public darshan. Devotees stood in long queues to seek the blessings of Maa Mangala, praying for the well-being of their families.
Similar crowds were seen at other Shaiva shrines such as Someswar Peetha, Narayani Peetha, and Madhabananda Peetha, where devotees lined up early in the morning for darshan. As it was Makar Beda (a special ritual day), the priests of Maa Mangala Temple and Narayani Temple placed the deity’s idol in a beautifully decorated ashtadhatu (eight-metal) plate and took it around the temple complex in a spiritual procession. The ritual was accompanied by sacred chants of “Haribol”, rhythmic sounds of hulahuli (a traditional ululation), ceremonial umbrellas, and the blowing of conch shells, creating an aura of devotion around the temple’s three courtyards.
On this auspicious day, an offering (bhog) consisting of freshly harvested rice, curd, jaggery, chhena (cottage cheese), banana, black pepper, pomegranate, sugarcane, and kheer (sweetened milk rice) was prepared and offered to the Goddess. This bhog was later distributed to devotees as prasad.
According to old traditions, after eating this Makar Bhog, women and girls would feed one another as part of the Makar Basa ritual—a custom many elderly people recall with nostalgia, lamenting that such times are no longer seen today.
Due to the Makar Sankranti festival, the markets and temple premises were bustling with heavy crowds. However, adequate security arrangements were made at every temple by the local police administration to ensure a safe and orderly environment for all devotees.
