Bokaro: The puja at Maa Shyama Kali temple in Mithila Chowk, Sector-2D, in Bokaro saw a sea of devotees on the occasion of Diwali on Sunday. Thousands of Maithils, who are residents of Darbhanga in Bihar, but live in Bokaro organise this puja. Throughout the year, the temple sees a constant buzz of activity, reaching its pinnacle during Kali Puja. The annual Kali Puja gathering, organised by the Maithili Kala Manch Kali Puja Trust, draws a huge crowd every year. The annual Kali Puja Utsav, initiated in 1984, continues to be a resounding success, marked by Veda-Tantrokta worship methods and unique cultural programmes, said Mukesh Jha, a devotee.General secretary of the trust, Sunil Mohan Thakur, said, Devotees, not only from the Maithil community but also from other regions, visit this sacred site to pay homage to Purna Chaitanya Maa Shyama Kali. The statue of the goddess invokes automatic reverence and the temples exquisite decoration leave visitors mesmerised.The staircase located in the temples entry point features enormous replicas of fish which are symbols of the Mithila region - Maach (fish), Paan and Makhan. Adjacent to it, temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Maa Parvati, and Sankatmochan Hanuman grace the same complex. A grand yajna-mandap between the two temples hosts havan-kirtan programmes.Other than Kali Puja, the temple witnesses significant congregations during various occasions such as Shivratri, Shravan month, Durga Puja, Anant Chaturdashi, Devotthan Ekadashi and Lakhram Puja. We also published the following articles recentlyWhen is Kali Puja? Date, timing, significance, and puja ritualsKali Puja, also known as Shyama Puja, is a Hindu festival that honors the goddess Kali. It takes place during Diwali celebrations in eastern India. Devotees offer prayers and seek blessings from Maa Kali, who represents empowerment and protection. The date for Kali Puja is determined based on the Amavasya tithi during midnight, and it can sometimes fall one day before Diwali. The festival includes setting up pandals, decorating Kali idols, offering flowers and sweets, chanting prayers, and participating in cultural programs and fairs. Kali Puja celebrates the power and role of the goddess in protecting her devotees.After Durga Puja, themes make an appearance in Kali Puja pandalsOver 100 Kali Puja committees in Kolkata have adopted different themes for their pandals this year, guided by Durga Puja clubs. The organizers are focusing on fire safety measures, medical support, ambulance facilities, and spreading awareness about green crackers. The trend of adopting themes for Kali Puja is becoming more popular, challenging traditional ways of celebration. The safety aspect of the festival has been given top priority. Various artists have conceptualized themes based on different topics such as earthen cups, the lives of auto drivers, environmental crisis, and climate change.Bengalis will celebrate annual Kali Puja in Mumbai on Diwali nightThe Bengali community in Mumbai will be celebrating Kali Puja during the Diwali weekend. This festival is known for its elaborate rituals and the offering of bhog prasad meals. Various pandals that celebrate Durga Puja also host Kali Puja. The festivities include the worship of Goddess Kali, offering of red hibiscus flowers, and the illumination of diyas. The rituals typically begin at night and continue until the early hours, followed by the distribution of Bengali bhog prasad.

Stay updated with all the Latest Ranchi headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.