Paharganj Ramakrishna Mission Breaks 96-Year Tradition with Full-Scale Durga Puja

Dilip Guha, New Delhi: Delhi’s Paharganj Ramakrishna Mission is about to write a new history after 96 years. After all these years of establishment, this is the first time in Delhi Ramakrishna Mission that Durga Puja will be held in full form. Until last year, puja was done only on pot ( GOTT) and only on the day of Ashtami briefly puja was done to the image of Durga. Breaking that custom, Delhi’s Ramakrishna Mission is going to start a new path by invoking the clay idol in this year’s Durga Puja. Structure(Kathamo) puja of Durga Pratima was held here on Janmashtami day. Last-minute preparations are now underway at the Ramakrishna Mission on the eve of the first idol puja. Mandapam construction and idol-making work is finished. The ultimate engagement is also seen among the inmates of the Ashram. The secretary of Delhi Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Sarvalokananda Maharaj, said that due to the request, enthusiasm and desire of the devotees, Murthy puja is being started at Paharganj Ramakrishna Mission in Delhi.

Excited by this decision of the mission, the fans have all extended their hands of support. Devi’s altar is being made. The mission has constructed a marble platform for Devi’s idol. Entering through the gate of the mission, on the left side, a small statue of Belur Math is being built. The puja priest is coming from the Shikra of Basirhat. Note that this Shikra village is the birthplace of Swami Brahmananda. Also, Dhaki’s are coming from Birbhum. Other accessories of Durga Puja are coming from Kolkata. There is provision for distribution of bhog and prasad for all four days of puja. A special attraction will be the Kumari puja to be done on Maha Ashtami day. As per ritual, an unmarried teenage girl is worshipped symbolically as a goddess.

The Mission’s Secretary informed us that Durgotsava is currently celebrated in 19 branches of Ramakrishna Mutt and Mission. On behalf of Ramakrishna Mission, Delhi, we had a long wish to perform Durga Puja. It was only recently that I was able to hasten that decision after taking over as head of this branch of the Ramakrishna Mission. Maharaj said that permission was sought from the Belur Math before the decision to start the idol puja. Very quickly the permission is received from there. As per Mission’s order, no external pomp will be done. The greatness of the puja here is to invoke the auspiciousness among all. In the words of Swami Sarvalokananda Maharaj, Durga Puja is an aristocratic (Rajasik) Puja affair, in this puja, the goddess is worshipped with devotion and respect along with dhak, dhol, feeding, and fanfare. Maharaj said demonic instincts are creeping into the society. Worshipping the auspicious power by destroying that demonic power will be the main purpose of Mrinmayi Maa Puja.