Three-Day Long Astaprahari Naam Yajna Held at Eastern Gate of Mangala Temple
Kakatpur (Tushar Dixit), 29/11 — On the occasion of Kartik Purnima, a three-day long Astaprahari Naam Yajna (continuous chanting of God’s name for 24 hours over three days) was organized at the eastern gate of Maa Mangala Temple. The event was conducted by the Mangala Temple Trust Board.
The yajna was initiated with the Ankura Ropana ritual performed by the temple priest Suresh Chandra Tripathi, followed by the drawing of sacred water from the holy Prachi river. The ritual began after five spiritual devotees, including the yajna’s chief organizer Nalini Kanta Dixit and Bapuji Das, collected the water.
The chanting of Hare Krishna Hare Ram began as devotees joined in and were mesmerized by the divine atmosphere. The Trust Board managed all arrangements for this event. Over the span of three days, Anna Koot (a grand offering of food) was prepared in the temple premises, in which all devotees and sevayats (temple servants) actively participated.
Senior sevayat Nalini Kanta Dixit expressed his feelings, saying, “Serving the Mother (Goddess Mangala) fills me with pride. I truly enjoy doing this work, and it brings me great mental peace and satisfaction.”
The Executive Officer of the Trust Board mentioned that such Astaprahari Naam Yajnas help humans get closer to God. He emphasized that in today’s busy world, it is essential to take some time out of our hectic schedules to chant the name of the divine.
All the sevayats also participated in chanting Hare Krishna Hare Ram. At the end of the ritual, organizer Nalini Kanta Dixit carried the idol of the deity (Thakur) and visited the homes of each sevayat, offering the deity’s Paduka (holy footwear) to their families. The family members received the deity with bowed heads, praying for blessings and prosperity for their households.
