Hooghy, 15 July (H.S.): The five-day Maha Rudra Yajna and the annual Shrabani Mela commenced at the renowned pilgrimage town of Tarakeswar in West Bengal on Wednesday, drawing a large number of devotees amid an atmosphere of faith and devotion.

The religious event has been organised to worship Lord Shiva and to pray for world peace, prosperity, and the well-being of society. Thousands of Shiva devotees participated in the inaugural ceremonies.

Tarakeswar MLA Santu Pan said the primary objective of the Maha Rudra Yajna is to spread the message of peace, harmony, and welfare through the worship of Lord Shiva. He said the five-day programme will feature Vedic chanting, special rituals, sacred fire ceremonies (havan), and various religious observances.

Appealing to devotees to take part in the event, Pan said, “Everyone is welcome to join the worship of Baba Taraknath and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.”

Every year during the holy month of Shravan, Tarakeswar attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who visit the temple to offer holy water and perform prayers. A similarly massive turnout is expected this year during the Maha Rudra Yajna and the Shrabani Fair.

The district administration has made extensive arrangements for crowd management, security, healthcare, and other essential services to ensure the smooth conduct of the religious festival.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey