DEOGHAR, Mar 3 : The traditional rituals of Harihar Milan and Holika Dahan were solemnly performed today at the renowned Baidyanath Dham temple in Deoghar.
In view of the lunar eclipse, temple priests completed the ceremonies before the commencement of the sutak period.
Devotees thronged the temple premises as chants of “Bol Bam” and “Har Har Mahadev” reverberated throughout the complex. According to traditional beliefs, Lord Shiva was established at Baidyanath Dham on the day of Phalgun Purnima. The Holi festivities in the temple town began on Monday with the offering of gulal to Baba Baidyanath. Temple Sardar Panda Gulab Nand Ojha initiated the celebrations by offering gulal to the deity, creating an atmosphere of devotion and festivity. The temple remained open throughout the night, allowing large numbers of devotees from far and wide to offer gulal and seek blessings, though touching of the Shivling was not permitted for general devotees.
In the early hours, at 5:11 am, Holika Dahan was performed as per the muhurat. Prior to that, priests, including Sardar Panda Gulab Nand Ojha and others, entered the sanctum sanctorum, ceremonially cleaned the Shivling with a muslin cloth, and offered gulal to mark the beginning of Holi rituals.
As per tradition, after the offering of gulal, idols of Lord Krishna and Radha were brought from the Radha-Krishna temple and placed on the ceremonial ‘Phagdol’ palanquin. The temple’s attendants carried the palanquin on their shoulders amid chants of “Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki” and “Madan Gopal Ki Jai,” taking out a grand procession through the western gate of the temple. Devotees waiting along the streets showered gulal and offered prayers. The procession halted at various intersections where offerings of malpua were made.
Passing through the main market area, the procession reached the Dol Manch at Azad Chowk, where the tradition of ceremonially swinging Lord Krishna and Radha continued through the night. Holika Pujan was performed around 4:30 am, followed by Holika Dahan at the scheduled time of 5:11 am.
After the ritual, Lord Hari and Radha were again placed on the Phagdol and brought back to the temple, this time entering through the eastern gate. Upon arrival, Radha was taken to her temple, while Lord Hari was ceremonially taken into the sanctum sanctorum, where the symbolic Harihar Milan the divine union of Lord Vishnu (Hari) and Lord Shiva (Har) was performed in the presence of Sardar Panda Gulab Nand Ojha.
(UNI)
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