New Delhi: Pious Kartika Purnima celebration and Boat sailing ceremony were taken place in the premises of the Jagannath Temple at Hauz Khas in New Delhi with much pomp, splendour and fanfare. Hosted by the Temple’s Management Committee Sree Neelachal Seva Sangha, the Festival was attended by hundreds of Odias and Non – Odias people of Delhi and National Capital region along with their families, friends and relatives.
The Festival venue at the Fountain, located at the rear side of the Main temple and the entire compound of the temple were elegantly decorated befitting to the Grand Occasion. In the morning special Puja was undertaken in front of the Four Presiding Deities. Then the priests performed the religious rituals in front of the decked up Boat docked in the Fountain’s pond. The ladies assembled at the sight did the traditional Aarti of the Boat. Minister of Delhi Government Ashish Sood and his Wife Anu Sood graced the holy carnival as Guests. Amidst the chanting of the famous lines, “ Aaa Kaa Maa Bai” the Guests and participants under the stewardship of Temple’s Secretary Ravindranath Pradhan initiated the commencement of auspicious Boat sailing. The whole atmosphere got reverberated with the sounds of Haribol, Huluhuli, blowing of conch, recitals of Bhajan and Keertan and playing of musical instruments like Ghanta, Kartala, Mardala, Jhanja and Mrudanga.
The scenic sight of Beautiful Boat being sailed majestically in the pond water around the Fountain was simply momentous and mesmerising. The sailing signified symbolic re-enactment of the historical voyage of the Odia Merchants for trade to the far off islands in Indonesia like Bali, Java, Sumatra and Borneo. The Fiesta spoke volumes about the golden maritime history, rich commercial tradition and vibrant cultural ethos of Odisha.
The major attraction of the Mega Event was presentation of scintillating dance and soul soothing music by reputed artistes. Renowned singers from Odisha Anindita Das, Anuradha Panigrahi and Gopinath Panigrahi enthralled the audiences with several popular musical numbers. Guru Nityananda Das and troupe consisting of some handicapped artistes presented spellbinding Odissi and Folk dances. Comedy Master Golu entertained the crowd with his satirical eloquence. Ace Anchor Swarnaprava Pati conducted the proceedings of the Programme quite efficiently.
The devotees were offered delicious Habisha Prasad specially prepared by the Temple authorities during the auspicious occasion. Distinguished dignitaries present include Abani Sahu, Guru Prasad Mishra, Sabita Pradhan, Reeta Patra, Sanjay Mishra, Bishnu Pradhan, Dr. Shaktisudha Samantray and Rupali Aparajita Mohanty.
The outstanding organising team of Sree Neelachal Seva Sangha responsible for the massive success of the Boat Sailing Ceremony include President Bighneshwar Rout, Secretary Ravindranath Pradhan, Vice-Presidents Ravi Pani, Gajendra Prasad Samant, Joint Secretaries Ashok Pradhan, Abhay Pradhan, Rankanidhi Sahoo and members like Khirod Patra, Abhiram Sutar, Upendra Behera, Ashok Pradhan, Jitendra Mohapatra, Ajay Pradhan, Pankaj Mohanty, Nishidha Kumar Das, Suraj Nayak, Afisar Rout, Bijay Kumar Sahoo, Dillip Kumar Swain, Amulya Ojha, Sukanta Sahu, Manager of the Temple Rashmi Ranjan Behera, Assistant Managers Sashikanta Sahoo, Sanjiv Jena and Priests Sanatan Padhi and Debabrata Mishra.
