Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 3: On the auspicious occasion of Maha Navami during the Sharannavaratri festival, a grand Deeparadhane was held with devotion and fervour at the Gokula auditorium, under the aegis of Gopalakrishna Public Trust, Gokula, in association with BSKB Association, Sion, on Wednesday, October 1.

Under the leadership of chief priest Vedamurthi Daregudde Srinivas Bhat, the rituals were performed in a traditional manner. A large mandala was created by the priests, in the centre of which the idol of Goddess Devi was consecrated. The rituals included Saptashati Parayana, Bhuvaneshwari Puja, Lalita Sahasranama recitation and other ceremonies, culminating in the Deeparadhane. The yajman position was held by Gopala Rao and Rajani Rao, while Rama Vittal Kalluraya performed the sankalpa on behalf of the devotees.

On the occasion of Saraswati Puja, an image of Goddess Sharada along with sacred scriptures was placed, and devotional hymns and stotras were rendered by Gokula Bhajana Mandali and surrounding bhajana groups. Ramavittal Kalluraya offered mangalarati to Goddess Sharada.

After the maha mangalarati to the presiding deity, a special Kumari and Suvasini Puja was conducted under the sponsorship of the Badrinarayan Pilinje family. The role of Kumari was adorned by Uma Rao, while Vidya Tantri, Vijayalakshmi Bhat and Shashi Maiya took the roles of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati respectively.

The programme concluded with the distribution of tirtha prasada and anna santarpane to the devotees and hundreds of devotees who had gathered for the celebration.