Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 16: In celebration of Makara Sankranti, the auspicious commencement of Uttarayana, a grand Samuhika Shri Satyanarayana Mahapooja was conducted with great devotion and tradition at Gokul Sabha Hall, Sion East, last Tuesday. The event was jointly organized by Gopalakrishna Public Trust and BSKBA Association, which is celebrating its centenary.

The rituals, performed under the guidance of Vaidik M Srinivas Bhat from Daregudde, began with prayers to deities, followed by a collective sankalpa for devotees. The traditional pooja proceedings were carried out with reverence.

After the Mahamangalarati, Srinivas Bhat addressed the gathering, highlighting the spiritual significance of performing the Shri Satyanarayana Pooja with devotion at the sanctum of Gokul Shri Gopalakrishna during Makara Sankranti. He prayed for divine blessings of health, prosperity, and happiness for all devotees, and for the centenary celebrations to conclude successfully without any obstacles.

The cultural segment featured devotional performances by Gokul Bhajana Mandali, supported by Gopalakrishna Bhajana Mandali, Harikrishna Bhajana Mandali, Vitthal Bhajana Mandali, and Skanda Bhajana Mandali. Presented by Prema Rao, the session included harinama sankirtana based on the theme 'Panduranga Vitthal'.

The women’s wing of Gokul distributed arishina kumkuma and ellu unde (traditional turmeric powder and sesame sweets) to the attendees.

Dr Suresh S. Rao Kateel, president of the BSKBA Association, along with office bearers, executive committee members, trustees of Gopalakrishna Public Trust, members of the religious committee, and hundreds of devotees, attended the event. Following the daily pooja for Shri Gopalakrishna, devotees received teertha prasada and were served a festive feast.