Mastichak: The nine-day Sant Mahotsav commenced on Saturday at Gayatri Shaktipeeth in Mastichak, drawing saints and devotees from across the country. Organised annually to mark the Mahaprayan of revered spiritual leader Pandit Ramesh Chandra Shukla, the event will run until August 3 and includes a wide range of religious ceremonies, discourses, and devotional performances.
This year’s Mahotsav opened with a collective Rudrabhishek at the Navgrah Surya Gayatri Temple, alongside the initiation of Gayatri Mahayagya, Navgrah Pujan, and Mahamrityunjay Japa. The rituals are being conducted under the guidance of the Acharya of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Pandit Ramesh Chandra Shukla, who passed away on August 2, 2021, at the age of 104, was a distinguished disciple of Acharya Shriram Sharma, founder of the Gayatri Parivar. On the direction of his Guru, Shukla founded the Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Mastichak, which is now considered one of the largest eye hospitals in eastern India.
Vikash Sharma, manager of Gayatri Shaktipeeth, described Shukla as a highly accomplished spiritual practitioner whose influence continues to inspire the region’s spiritual activities.
Throughout the festival, attendees will participate in sacred recitations and rituals including Ram Katha, Sunderkand Paath, Durgasaptashati, Vishnu Sahasranama, Mahamrityunjay Mantra Japa, Navgrah Shanti Paath, Bhagwat Parayan, and Shivpuran Paath.
Devotional performances are scheduled every evening during Bhajan Sandhya, featuring renowned folk singers. The event will conclude on August 3 with a Mahabhandara, a large communal feast for all devotees and participants.
