The historic Sri Sri Ramna Kali Mandir in the capital reverberated with the fragrant scent of incense, rhythmic beats of traditional drums, and sacred chants as devotees gathered on Saturday morning (Oct 11) to celebrate Maha Saptami, marking a significant phase of the ongoing Sharadiya Durgotsov.
The festivities began in earnest on Saturday morning, featuring traditional rituals, worship, and fervent prayers by the Hindu community. While morning attendance was initially sparse following the ceremonial welcoming of the goddess on Mahashasthi, the temple premises quickly transformed into a vibrant hub of spiritual devotion as devotees arrived in steady streams to offer floral tributes and catch a glimpse of the deity alongside family and friends.
The sacred proceedings of Maha Saptami commenced with the traditional entry and placement of Nabapatrika, followed by Saptamadi Kalparambha and Saptami bihita puja. Priest Kanai Lal Chakraborty officiated the rituals, chanting mantras and offering various traditional paraphernalia to Goddess Durga while worshippers stood with joined hands, praying for divine blessings, societal peace, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
Beyond the spiritual observances, the temple grounds served as a bustling social gathering place for people of all ages who traveled from various parts of the city. Tanoy Bhowmik, a visitor who journeyed from Dhamrai alongside his mother Tripti Rani Tarafder, expressed deep fulfillment after offering Anjali at the Ramna Kali Mandir, noting that experiencing the festive ambiance firsthand added profound meaning to their celebrations.
Groups of students and peers, including visitors from old Dhaka's Laxmibazar such as Bijoy Ghosh, Rima Sarkar, Sangeeta Das, and Biplob Kumar, spent the day hopping between prominent pandals. Biplob Kumar remarked that sharing the holiday spirit with friends while touring various pavilions, including planned visits to the Dhakeshwari National Temple and the Khamarbari pandal, remained a core highlight of the autumn festival.
Reflecting on the successful culmination of the day's rites, priest Kanai Lal Chakraborty emphasized that prayers were offered for the safety, prosperity, and holistic well-being of all devotees. He added that special invocations were made for global harmony, the eradication of malice, and a peaceful coexistence among all humanity.
