Gahma Festival Celebrated at Mangala Temple
Kakatpur, 30/08 – As every year, the sacred Gahma festival was celebrated at the temple of Goddess Mangala, the presiding deity of Kakatpur. This festival, known as Gahma Purnima or Gahma Parva, is observed in memory of Lord Balabhadra slaying a demon named Gahma on this auspicious day.
Based on this legend, a clay idol of the demon Gahma is worshipped at the northern gate of Maa Mangala’s temple. Rituals such as Shanti Homa, Bandapana (offering), and Alati (aarti) were performed as part of the celebration.
A popular folk belief associated with this tradition holds that soil from the idol of the demon Gahma, when applied to the roots of fruit-bearing or leafy plants in one’s garden or backyard, helps them grow healthy and yield abundantly. Therefore, many devotees and worshippers take some of this sacred soil and apply it to the roots of various plants in their gardens.
The entire ritual was conducted under the guidance of temple priest Suresh Chandra Tripathy and Pujapanda Sharata Dixit.
