Massive Devotee Turnout at Someshwar Peeth for ‘Jagar’ Festival
Kakatpur, 27/02/2025 (Tushar Dixit):
On the occasion of the sacred Jagar festival observed on the Amavasya (new moon) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna, thousands of devotees thronged the revered Someshwar Peeth and other Shaivite shrines in the Kakatpur region.
This day, considered highly auspicious for devotees of Lord Shiva, is eagerly awaited every year. As the saying goes, “If not through penance, then through prayer – both lead to truth, to Shiva, to beauty.” Devotees observed fasts, chanted the Panchakshari mantra of Shiva, and lit sacred lamps in the evening to spiritually purify themselves and their families.
Major Shaivite temples in and around Kakatpur — including Someshwar, Nateshwar, Shankareswar, Aishaneshwar, Ishaneshwar, Lokanath, Rameshwar, Grameshwar, and Siddheshwar — witnessed overwhelming crowds chanting Haribol, Huluhuli, and Ram Nam. Some places organized yajnas, while others echoed with devotional songs and mantras.
At Someshwar Peeth, considered one of the Ashta-Shambhu (Eight Shiva manifestations), devotees gathered in large numbers. Under the supervision of Sevayat Committee President Manoranjan Panda and members Kamal Lochan Dixit, Himansu Bhushan Dixit, Ashok Kumar Dixit, Santosh Kumar Dixit, Pradeepta Kumar Dixit, Harihar Dixit, Pavitra Kumar Dixit, Tushar Ranjan Dixit, Mangal Prasad Panda, Nalini Kanta Dixit, and Manas Kumar Dixit, devotees were allowed to enter in queues through barricades to have darshan of the deity.
Throughout the night, devotees stayed awake, lit oil lamps, and prayed for the wellbeing of their families. Special decorations were done for Lord Someshwar using Ketaki flowers, Bel leaves, and other sacred offerings by Bibhuti Bhushan Panda, Tushar Ranjan Dixit, Jeevan Jyoti Dixit, and Jayant Dixit.
Priests Subash Chandra Tripathy and Suresh Chandra Padhi performed abhisheka, incense rituals, and the Bada Singhara (grand adornment) ceremony. At midnight, a special Maha Deepa (sacred lamp) was taken in a three-round circumambulation of the temple and then hoisted atop the temple spire.
More than 2,000 devotees partook in the prasad (holy offering). Simultaneously, a youth-led Ashtaprahari (24-hour non-stop devotional singing) program was conducted. Mangala Temple’s Executive Officer and Member of the Temple Ritual Committee, Rabindra Jena, was present for the event.
To ensure smooth conduct and safety, police forces were deployed at all Shaivite shrines by the Kakatpur Police.
