As the COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed and all the festivals are being celebrated again with all enthusiasm, it has come to light that the Maha aarti at Banganga will also be started again after a gap of two years.
This year, it will be held on November 7 at 7 pm. As part of the aarti, over 1,000 diyas will be lit, officials added. Several political dignitaries including Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray’s wife Sharmila Thackeray among others, have been invited.
While talking to reporters, Shahsank Gulgule, honorary secretary and holding trustee of the GSB Temple Trust, said: “In Varanasi there is Ganga Puja and Maha aarti, so we thought why not have it here as well. We were having it regularly every year, except for the last two years.”
For those unversed, Banganga is one of the few freshwater tanks in the city. GSB Temple Trust has been organising Maha aartis at Banganga since 2014.
History of Maha Aarti:
It has a mythological origin which is traced back to the era of Lord Rama. It is believed that Lord Ram and Lakshman travelled to this place. They took a halt this site when he was out on his search to rescue his wife Sita from King Ravana. It is believed that Lord Ram got thirsty at this site, and shot an arrow (baan) in the ground to quench his thirst.
After an arrow was shot by Lord Ram, a subsidiary of the Ganga river emerged from the place where the arrow struck.
Therefore, the spot is marked by a pole in the centre of Banganga tank.
Significance:
Banganga is also known as mini Varanasi. The aarti is done on Kartik Purnima Day. Kartik Purnima is also known as Deepak Purnima as it is the first full moon day. The Kartik month starts from Balipratipada and the month is considered auspicious.
Share
Tweet
