Patna: Devotees visiting Mahavir Mandir near Patna Junction can offer prayers to Goddess Durga from 8am on Saturday, when the temple opens its Durga Puja mandap on Maha Saptami. A specially designed 3D pandal and arrangements for ritual worship have been made for devotees during the festive rush.This year, 40 devotees have undertaken ‘kalash sthapana’ at the temple, with their names and gotras recorded for the rituals. They can reach the temple from 8 am on Saptami to offer prayers. The temple has also arranged daily recitation of the Durga Saptashati for devotees who booked the rituals.Sayan Kunal, secretary of the Shri Mahavir Sthan Nyas Samiti, said special arrangements had been made for ‘kalash sthapana’ and Durga Paath to make worship more convenient. Though these facilities are organised every year, devotees had specifically requested additional arrangements this time.Interest in the rituals has risen significantly from last year. While 10 devotees booked ‘kalash sthapana’ puja last year, the temple management has reported around 63 bookings this year for ‘kalash sthapana’ and recitation. The Durga Saptashati comprises 13 chapters and 700 verses, along with several ‘beej mantras’.The temple will begin immersion of the Goddess’s idol after puja and aarti at 9 am on Wednesday, October 21, marking Ashwin Shukla Dashami.Durga Puja at Mahavir Mandir was initiated by Padma Shri Acharya Kishore Kunal, founding secretary of the Shri Mahavir Sthan Nyas Samiti. His son, Sayan Kunal, now oversees the tradition.Anticipating a large turnout, the temple management has arranged orderly darshan, crowd control and smooth movement of devotees. Additional govt and private security personnel have also been deployed.
