Even corona scare could not quell the Mahashtami spirit of Jamshedpur devotees

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Oct 24: Saptami yesterday had seen festive spirits being marred by the COVID scare and administrative protocols but Saturday told a narrated a different tale as crowds poured into temples, big and small, known and not so known to offer puspanjali to Devi Ma. No attempt either was made to control the surge of devotees. Faith in Divinity supersedes all norms, all protocols and if the devotees did not care and performed this one particular ritual, they had every right to be absolved of breaking administrative and social codes. They stuck to their moral ethics and returned satisfied.

Kasidih resident Suchita Saha was beaming even under the sultry afternoon sun. She was elated as was her husband Prem Kumar. They were just on their way back home from Sakchi Shitla Mandir where they had gone to offer puspanjali to Devi Durga. Suchita said, �One has to experience the joy. The crowd for once did not matter as our total attention was immersed in a Divine sensation as the priest pronounced the prayers. Personally, I felt I was alone in the presence of my Divine Mother Durga. I did not feel the crowd touch or push. I just heard a Divine voice. It was so gratifying. At first my husband too was unwilling to be a part of the crowd. But God�s will prevailed and we went and offered puspanjali and in return we received a sense of peace.� Prem nodded his assent.

Chenab Road Durga Bari too was a sea of humanity. The statutory notices at different places held no warning; such was the force and faith of devotees. Devotion spilled out onto the wide lawns but strangely, there was no semblance of chaos. The hum of mantras being repeated by devotees was an experience in itself. The hum was choral. It left a sublime feeling that not even the pundits of letters could express.

The scene at Manokamna Mandir on Kalimati Road in Sakchi was no different. Yes, there was a huge rush but no disturbance to deviate the mind from its purpose, that of communing with Divinity. The pious spirit among the huge gathering of devotees prevailed. The mantra recitation by the priest could be heard crisp and clear and then the choral repetition by the milling devotees seemed like hymns from distant fields of paradise. Lalita Agrawal had come all the way from Parsudih to offer puspanjali at the Manokamna Mandir. As she came out she was stopped by this correspondent. She said, �It is the desire of any devotee to share some moments with Devi Ma. I am a housewife and my household chores keep me busy throughout the day. But I do steal a few moments to pray in solitude. But offering puspanjali on Mahashtami is a different sensation all together. It was only after I had offered the flowers and bael leaves at the feet of the Deity did I realize the crowd I was a part of. Till that moment I was alone with the Mother.� Lalita had a glow on her countenance that reflected the power of spirituality.

The streets surprisingly were sans the rush usually observed during puja times. The scooter ride to Ghasi Club on Q Road was a pleasure experienced after a long-long time. As expected, the fair grounds were vacant except for a few stray dogs oblivious to the sultry weather. The front of the mandap was covered with a clean white cloth. Yet, the priests at prayer could be heard. The crowd was not as overwhelming but still men, women and children were there, lost in deep meditation as the priest recited Vedic verses. The smoke from the ghee lit lamps and dhunuchi added to the aura of sobriety befitting the holy moments of puspanjali. Secretary Bimal Ray of the Club appeared from nowhere (almost) and not one to let go of the chance, this correspondent asked him, �Since how long has Ghasi Club been observing Durgotsav?�

Bimal Ray said that this was the 103^rd year of Durga Puja at the Club. He informed that the actual name of the organization is Jamshedpur Puja Association and through time, the name Ghasi Club had come to stay. �We have not compromised with any protocol. But then, you cannot turn away devotees. Conscience does not allow thus. Yet, we have tried to control the crowds. The devotees have been very disciplined.� Well, for old timers, Ghasi Club, even with its vacant look this year, has many wonderful tales of devotion and euphoria to tell and one needs ears to listen to the soft air that blows across the ground in the evening or the poetry of silent dew drops that add the glow to grass blades under the first rays of morn.

The Durga Puja in Ramkrishna Mission at L Road in Bistupur has borne the traditional essence of Belur Math. Swamijis of the order of Ramkrishna perform the worship in strict conformity to laid down guidelines of the monastic tradition. In spite of the crowds, silence prevails. Mantras are recited in a crisp, trained voice that demolishes all disturbing thoughts to stoke the fire of devotion. The mere sight of the devotees lost in total concentration, some staring at the Goddess, others with shut eyes and solemn countenances bespeaks the aura of devotion that is so resounding in its silence. After the puspanjali offerings were over, Kiranjot Kaur of Ramdas Bhatta gradually made her way out to the curb. She was homebound. Kiran was solemn but seemed ecstatic. She said, �It is a matter of faith. I get solace and feel a sense of solitaire even amidst a crowd. The Swamijis add that vital touch to the religious air that fills the Ramkrishna Mission compound. Today being Mahashtami, I came to offer my puspanjali to Ma Durga. The flower petals epitomized my faith and devotion in the Supreme. I did not ask for anything for the Mother knows all that I want. I just concentrated on the Mother�s benign form. I felt Her breath in my whole being. I prayed to be with Her. I prayed to make the world a happy place. I want all to be happy including the members of my dear family. Mother is everywhere. It is just that Mahashtami is a special day to be in communion with the Divine Mother.�

The Mahashtami fervor was everywhere. All temples were chockablock with devotees for the special prayers followed by puspanjali. In the rural and semi urban areas animal sacrifices were made while in the township symbolic sacrifices of cucumber, bananas, sugarcane and rice pumpkin (chal kumra in Bengali) were offered.

The crowds were there. For once they were there with a purpose. They came to seek communion with Ma Durga. Will the receding trend of COVID infection gallop up again? It is a question of faith that will stand the test of tense times. But faith has often won.