Shankaracharya performs Maha Arati on Puri beach in Odisha today

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, Jan 5:

On the auspicious Paush purnima – the full moon day of the Hindu month of Paush –  Govardhanpeeth Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati performed maha arati of the sea on the beach near Swargadwara in Odisha’s pilgrim city Puri  this evening.

Puri king Gajapati Maharaj Divyasingh Dev, eminent personalities, head of mutts and saints from across the country attended the programme.

“Like previous years, Maha Arati programme was held in the presence of Gajapati Maharaj Divyasingh Dev and revered saints from across the country. This is the eighth annual function to be held in continuation. Pujyapada Shankarachaya ji offered Maha Arati to the Samudra Bhagwan at 6.30 PM and will then addressed the gathering of devotees,” said Manoj Rath, public relations officer of Govardhanpeeth.

Renowned flute player Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia performed on the occasion.

A large number of devotees thronged the Shree Mandir here today to have a darshan (glimpse) of the Lords Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the auspicious occasion of Pausa Purnima. The pushya abhisek ritual of the Lords has been held.

The Lords seated atop the ratna singhasana are attired in gold ornaments – known as the rajadhiraj besha or sunabesha. It’s considered auspicious to have a darshan of the Lords when they are in this vesha.