With the blessings of the Holy Trio, I am very glad to inform you that Ramakrishna Math, Sribhumi, celebrated Sri Sri Durga Puja this year with great devotion, solemnity, and grandeur. This year’s Puja was a special and sacred occasion, marking the 106th year of the celebration of Sri Sri Durga Puja at Sribhumi.
The celebrations commenced with Kalparambha, Bodhan, Adhivas, and Amantran, conducted in accordance with traditional rituals. On Maha Saptami, following the ceremonial bathing of the Nabapatrika, Pushpanjali was offered by hundreds of devotees with heartfelt devotion. Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami were subsequently observed with due solemnity and reverence. The sacred Sandhi Puja, performed according to traditional rites, was a spiritually uplifting experience, accompanied by the blowing of conch shells and the chanting of sacred hymns.
Throughout the four days of the celebrations, the entire Ashrama reverberated with the recitation of the Chandi, bhajans, stotras, and devotional songs rendered by monks, brahmacharins, and devotees. The temple premises, beautifully decorated with flowers and illuminations, created an atmosphere of profound serenity, sanctity, and devotion.
A special feature of this celebration was the distribution of fruits and sweets to all devotees present every day after Pushpanjali and after evening aratrikam. Furthermore, from Maha Saptami to Maha Navami, cooked Prasad was served to devotees every afternoon. The Prasad consisted of freshly prepared khichuri, alur dom, chutney, payesh, and sweets. These arrangements enabled devotees to participate in the worship and receive the blessings of the Divine Mother in an atmosphere of devotion and fellowship.
On Vijaya Dashami, the Visarjan ceremony was conducted amidst the chanting of “Jai Sri Sri Durga Mai Ki Jai,” followed by the traditional Vijaya Pranam and the exchange of greetings among devotees.
This year’s Puja witnessed the overwhelming participation of more than 12,000 devotees, who gathered at the Ashrama to offer their prayers and participate in the worship, bhajans, and other devotional activities. The entire celebration was conducted smoothly and peacefully, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our monks, brahmacharins, volunteers, and devotees, who worked tirelessly in a spirit of selfless service.
Thus, the 106th year of Sri Sri Durga Puja at Ramakrishna Math, Sribhumi, concluded successfully, leaving the devotees spiritually uplifted and deeply inspired by the divine grace of the Mother and the ideals of Bhagwan Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda.
