Baripada: A unique tradition of worshipping Hanuman even as Devi Durga is offered ‘puja’ is still observed here in Mayurbhanj district.
The atmosphere is already festive with members of Mahavir Puja Committee of Gandhi Market Square in this town preparing themselves for this 26-year-old tradition.
A legend has it that Maa Durga turned bloodthirsty and eliminated demon Mahishasur. But her devotees on earth got scared of her becoming furious. It was then that they invoked Mahavir Hanuman to pacify her.
Though this legend has since long been forgotten, it is the Mahavir Puja Committee that has kept the tradition alive.
Way back in 1999 some 30 to 40 youths came together and decided to observe Hanuman puja during the sharad festival of Maa Durga. They contributed themselves and started the puja with a budget of Rs 10,000.
Now, the puja is in no way less attractive than the regular Durga puja here as the committee’s budget for it has climbed to a whopping Rs 5 lakh.
“As per the tradition, Bajrangbali’s puja and a seven-hour yajna is performed for three days starting Astami puja of Goddess Durga. Priest Manmath Kumar Pani performs the puja,” informed Committee’s secretary Khageswar Baliar Singh.
“Earlier, we used to worship a clay idol of ‘Panchmukhi Hanuman’. Now a nine-foot black granite idol with its eyes and ‘chita’ of silver has taken its place”, Khageswar said.
Subodh Ranjan Jena, president of the Committee, said, “From 30 to 40 members, now the committee’s total number of members has crossed 200. Members like Dharani Dey, Dinesh Agrawal, Gaurang Tripathy, Vivekananda Mallick, Naba Kishore Sahu, Antarjyami Sahoo, Akhandal Mishra, Kamal Khandelwal, Subash Chandra Pradhan, Tapas Sahu, Ajay Modi and some others share the responsibilities among themselves to make the puja a grand success.
Unlike other puja committees, Mahavir Puja Committee never ever goes for vulgar dance shows and soirees. It organises only ‘Bhajan Sandhya’ by way of cultural programme.
“This year the pandal’s 60-foot high front gate erected at a cost of Rs 1 lakh is its main attraction. And for light and decoration, another budget of Rs 70, 000 has been earmarked,” a member said adding that the committee always accords top priority to decoration.
PNN
