Annakut Mahotsav was celebrated with traditional gaiety and religious fervour at Kashi Vishwanath (KV), adjoining Annapurna and many other temples here on Tuesday. Though the festival is celebrated a day after the Deepawali but this year, it was postponed by a day due to the Somvati Amavasya and due to this, this year the Annakut or Dhanteras Mahotsav which was started on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras was celebrated for five days, instead of four. On the occasion, right from the morning the people started thronging at Kashi Vishwanath and Annapurna temples to get the glimpse of Annakut Mahotsav.
On the occasion, the silver idol was decorated with 56 bhog followed by grand Bhog aarti and then quintals of sweets were offered at KV temple. The Annakut Mahotsav of Annapurna Mandir is most famous where 56 dishes were offered. The festival also marked the end of a five-day festival that started on the occasion of Dhanteras. Mahant Shankarpuri and others were also present. The festival was also celebrated in many adjoining temples in Gyanvapi premises including Surya, Saani, Kailash, Rani and other temples. Besides, a big bhandara was also organised at Swami Narayan temple (Machoudhari).
As there was a heavy rush of devotees at Sri Kashi Vishwanath Dham premises, elaborate security arrangements were made there to maintain law and order situation. Throughout the day, the rush of devotees was seen. A large number of tourists also visited there on the occasion of Annakut Mahotsav.
Gujaratis offer prayers at Swaminarayan temple: A good number of Gujaratis offered prayers and aarti at Swaminarayan temple at Machaudhari here on Tuesday on the occasion of Annakut Mahotsav. On the occasion, 21 quintals of Chappan Bhog were offered to Lord Swaminarayan. The temple witnessed the rush of devotees to see attractive Annakoot tableaux. Many distinguished scholars were honoured.
Among several Gujarati families, Paresh Bhagat, Kanchan Bhagat, Mukesh Bhai, Mahesh Bhai and others came from Gujarat to make the Diwali festival events successful, Besides, other Gujarati followers like Bhavesh Bhagat, Divesh Bhai, Dinesh Bhai, Bhavna Ben and Hetal Ben from Surat, temple priest Ghanshyam Mehta, Bhavna Bhagat, Vicky Yadav and many were also present. The entire ritual was performed under the guidance of Dr Sant Vallabh Das (Mahant, Vadtal, Gujarat), Sant Madhav Priya Das and Sant Nautam Prakash Das.
The devotees gathered in the temple premises since morning remained enthralled while looking at the different types of figures made from raw and cooked food grains and sweets. During this time, the temple premises kept resonating with the praises of God. At the same time, during Annakut aarti, the entire temple complex was drenched in lights of various eco-friendly fireworks. Apart from this, the entire campus was abuzz with Garba dance.
After the festival, a Bhandara was held.
Mayor Ashok Tiwari, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust President Prof Nagendra Pandey, Prof Brij Bhushan Ojha, Prof Dhananjay Pandey, Prof Ram Poojan Pandey, Prof Amit Kumar Shukla, Prof Shrikrishna Tripathi, Prof Kamlesh Jha, Prof Saroj Pani, Prof Upendra Kumar Tripathi, Prof Deepak Kumar Pandey, Acharya Shailesh, Acharya Pankaj Shukla and many others were also present.