SHILLONG: The Durga Puja celebration of Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) has curved out a niche among the devotees for observing this celebration of good over evil in the most traditional style as per the Hindu almanac.
BSS being a philanthropic organization, it is equally conscious about their responsibilities as they are keeping this year’s celebration a low key affair so that the savings can be contributed to the ongoing relief work in the aftermath of the Uttaranchal natural disaster.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Swami Purnabrata Maharaj, assistant secretary, BSS said, “We will observe Durga Puja this year in a very low profile manner so that we can save the donations from devotees, organizations and others for Uttaranchal relief work.”
The monk said that in order to keep the celebration a low key affair the pandal that adorn the front yard and outside the Ashram premises in Jail Road will not be constructed this time and the money saved from it and others will be donated to the relief work.
However, the traditional style of performing the puja rites and rituals will follow as Durga Puja in BSS will start with Pitri Tarpan on October 4. This is a ritual where the sons of families pay their obeisance to the departed souls at Sivakunda near Umiam Lake in Ribhoi district. The Saptasati Japa will be performed everyday and will culminate on Navami with Chandi Yagya for world peace and prosperity. The specialty of this japa this time is that it will be jointly performed by Avdhoot Baba Shivanand, Shivanand Ashram, New Delhi. Saptasati Japa is also relayed via video link every Sunday in the BSS from 3pm as spiritual discourses for the upliftment and wellbeing of mankind.
On the day of Sasti a procession will be taken out from BSS to bring the idol of goddess Durga from the Keating Road workshop traditionally on devotees shoulder. The Sandhi Puja followed by Birbhaoddipak Puja Arati – a type of martial art performed with Dhuno(powdered smoke producing incense), Trishul and Talwar (sword) in groups – will be performed from Saptami to Navami.
On the day of Ashtami BSS’s souvenir Shakti will be released whereas around 60 identified BPL families and 32 orphan children from Hindu Mission will be donated new wears and other utility items.
Drum beat which is an important part of Durga Puja, ten such drummers will be coming from West Bengal. Swami Purnabrata also said that they are trying to open the pathology department in the medical unit of BSS, shortly as there is huge demand for it.