Devotees of Lord Hanuman gathered in GC Block community hall last Saturday where a grand celebration of Hanuman Jayanti had been organised.
“I am organising Hanuman Jayanti in my block since 2015. We have put up banners across Salt Lake and informed all boroughs,” said organiser and councillor Rajesh Chirimar.
A picture of the monkey god had been lavishly decorated and was flanked by that of Rama’s durbar and of Durga in a form worshipped in north India, without weapons.
A team of 11 priests headed by Pt. Bhanu Pratap Sharma from Churu, Rajasthan, performed puja, tied molis (red strings) to wrists of devotees and chanted Sundara Kanda, the fifth book of The Ramayana chronicling Hanuman’s exploits, including his leap to Lanka in search of Sita.
Many residents, including members of the GC Block Mahila Mandal, attended the ceremony, sat in front of the holy fire to make offerings and chanted along, with copies in hand of Hanuman Chalisa that were distributed.
“We did puja in our houses also and came here,” said Anita Agarwal, who has been staying in Salt Lake since 1986.
“Three years ago Hanuman Jayanti was held with as much ceremony at this venue,” recalled her neighbour and fellow member Kanta Agarwal.
Some Bengalis too had come over. “I read Hanuman Chalisa every day at home but this is the first time I am attending a public puja,” said Minakshi Seal, a lawyer residing in IB Block. GC Block residents Manju Hazra and Mukti Guha Roy had come to quench their curiosity and took prasad.
Local MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and MLA Sujit Bose too dropped by. “Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated by Bengalis and non-Bengalis alike. I myself chant Hanuman Chalisa every day,” said Bose, who was attending the third puja of the day. “I went to Lake Town Bal Hanuman temple and to another on Jessore Road in the morning,” he said.
