Varanasi,

Nov 10 (HS): The Annakut festival was celebrated with traditional reverence,

devotion and joy on Tuesday in the religious city of Kashi in Uttar Pradesh. On

this occasion, Baba Vishwanath was decorated with 21 quintals of various types

of sweets at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham. At the same time, the traditional

palanquin procession of Baba Vishwanath was taken out from the Mahant's

residence in Tedhinim. Amidst the auspicious sound of Shehnai, the echo of

Damru and the chants of Har Har Mahadev, the entire Kashi appeared filled with

Shiva.

Devotees

were enthusiastic since morning about the Annakut festival, celebrated on the

first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik. According to the Shri

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, this festival, linked to the tradition of Lord

Krishna worshipping Mount Govardhan, symbolizes food prosperity, security, and

gratitude to nature.

On

the occasion of Annakut, Lord Shri Vishweshwar Mahadev was adorned with 21

quintals of various sweets. These included Bundi laddus, dry fruit laddus, and

many other traditional sweets. The entire Dham complex was decorated with

flowers, lamps, and fragrant incense. The grand decorations and religious

rituals filled the temple complex with devotion.

At

the same time, as part of the traditional ritual of Annakut festival, a grand

palanquin procession of the Panchbadan silver movable idols of Lord Shri

Vishwanath, Mata Gauri and Ganesh ji was taken out from the residence of the

Mahant family at Tedhinim. The palanquin procession reached Shri Kashi

Vishwanath Dham via the traditional route of Tedhinim, Sakshi Vinayak,

Dhundhiraj Ganesh and Maa Annapurna temple. During the procession, devotees

kept chanting Har Har Mahadev amidst the tunes of Shehnai and Damru.

Pt.

Vachaspati Tiwari, a member of the former Mahant family of the Shri Kashi

Vishwanath Temple, explained that this year, due to the family's growing

population, the Mahant family did not observe the tradition. This year,

Shivanjali coordinators Sanjeev Ratna Mishra and Manoj Sharma carried forward

this religious tradition. Baba was specially decorated and a palanquin

procession was taken out, and he was duly enthroned at Vishwanath Dham.

After

this, the midday Bhog Aarti of Lord Shri Vishwanath was performed as per the

rituals in the sanctum sanctorum. On the occasion of Annakut, Baba was offered

fifty-six types of dishes. After the Bhog Aarti, the doors of Baba's temple

were opened for the devotees to have darshan. Prasad was also distributed as

per the tradition of the festival. The devotees who arrived in large numbers

accepted the Prasad and prayed to Baba Vishwanath for happiness, prosperity,

good health and peace.

Annakut

festival symbolizes not only religious faith but also the social and spiritual

values of Sanatan culture. This festival conveys the importance of food,

gratitude to nature, service, cooperation, charity, and social unity.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi