Traditional Prachi Aarti Concludes Amid Chanting of Conch, Haribol, and Hulahuli
Kakatpur, 12/02 – (Tushar Dixit):
As per ancient scriptures, the sacredness of the Prachi River is said to be older than the Ganges. In earlier times, merchant sons would sail through the Prachi River to places like Sinhala, Java, and Sumitra for trade. Although those glorious days are now history and the river has shrunk, the ancient tradition of the “Prachi Aarti” continues. On the evening of Magha Purnima, a few devoted servitors and local villagers conducted the ritualistic evening aarti of Maa Mangala.
After the Aarti of Maa Mangala, the Sankirtan group brought her symbolic “Agyanmala” (garland of divine command), following which Vedic chanting was performed, and the sacred fire was lit as part of the ceremony. The event concluded under the dedicated supervision of Braja Bandhu Sahoo from Amuniya Patna.
Held at Ghantatola Tutha on the banks of the Prachi River—believed to be the birthplace of Maa Mangala—the ceremony was organized in a deeply spiritual atmosphere. It was made possible through the collaboration of temple servitors, temple administration, and renowned Jagannath culture promoter Satyananda Das Maharaj.
The rituals were performed with Vedic recitations by temple priest Suresh Chandra, and mantra chanting by Pujaris Lalit Mohan Dixit, Raghunath Dixit, and Tapan Dixit. Present on the occasion were Shantanu Dixit, Ranjan Dixit, Manas Dixit, Sumant Padhi, and temple executive officer Kailash Das, among others.
The banks of the Prachi were transformed into a serene and spiritual setting during this auspicious event.
