Mumbai’s Bengali Community Celebrates Kali Puja at Kalimata Mandir
In Mumbai, Maharashtra, the Bengali community gathered at the Kalimata Mandir, located at the Bengali Club in Shivaji Park, to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Kali Puja. Mrinal Purkashto, the General Secretary of the Bengali Club, shared that rituals have been performed at this location for 30 years, welcoming both Bengali and non-Bengali visitors. The puja began at 9:30 PM and continued until 12:30 PM, followed by the distribution of bhog to 1,000 to 1,500 people. The Annakut festival is set to be celebrated two days later, with preparations for 100 bhog items.
On the same day, Shivaji Park was the venue for a spectacular fireworks show in celebration of Diwali, attracting many spectators. Homes were adorned with colorful lights, rangolis, and flowers to mark the festival.
In Ayodhya, the ‘Deepotsav-2024’ celebrations made history by setting two Guinness World Records. The Ayodhya district administration, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh, lit up the Saryu River with over 25 lakh diyas, achieving the largest display of oil lamps ever recorded. Additionally, a record was set for the most people performing ‘diya’ rotation simultaneously. Diwali is celebrated on Amavasya, the new moon day, on the 15th day of the month of Kartik each year.
Doubts Revealed
Kali Puja -: Kali Puja is a festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. It is especially popular among Bengali communities and involves worship, rituals, and offerings to the goddess.
Kalimata Mandir -: Kalimata Mandir is a temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. In this context, it is located in Shivaji Park, Mumbai, where the Bengali community gathers to celebrate Kali Puja.
Mrinal Purkashto -: Mrinal Purkashto is likely a member or organizer of the Bengali community in Mumbai who commented on the inclusivity of the Kali Puja event.
Bhog -: Bhog is a term used for the food offered to deities during Hindu rituals, which is later distributed among devotees as a blessed meal.
Shivaji Park -: Shivaji Park is a large public park in Mumbai, known for hosting various cultural and community events, including the Kali Puja celebration.
Ayodhya -: Ayodhya is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, known for its religious significance in Hinduism, especially related to Lord Rama.
Deepotsav -: Deepotsav is a grand festival of lights celebrated in Ayodhya during Diwali, where numerous lamps (diyas) are lit to create a beautiful spectacle.
Guinness World Records -: Guinness World Records is a reference book published annually, listing world records both of human achievements and the extremes of the natural world.
Diyas -: Diyas are small oil lamps made of clay, used in India during festivals like Diwali to symbolize the victory of light over darkness.
Amavasya -: Amavasya is the new moon day in the Hindu lunar calendar, considered significant for various religious rituals and festivals like Diwali.