Sultry weather fails to dampen devotees’ spirit
LUCKNOW: The hot and sultry weather on Tuesday could not deter the devotees from organising Bada Mangal bhandaras across the city. Lucknowites turned up in large numbers at these bhandaras which dotted the city on the fifth Bada Mangal.
Across the length and breadth of the city, devotees had organised bhandaras. Sarvesh Dwivedi, who runs a garment business, started his bhandara early at around 10am his commercial establishment at Dr BN Road. From rickshaw pullers to local traders, all thronged the stall to savour ‘chhola–khasta’.
The staff was mobilized and shop was shut down for the ‘holy’ job. In the afternoon, the menu got changed to chola-rice and rajma–rice which continued till late in the evening. “Every year I organise a bhandara on one of the Bada Mangal. It is out of devotion for Lord Hanuman and nothing else,” said Dwivedi.Neeraj Singh, vice-president of an international firm, which has an office in the city, organised a bhandara at the Hanuman Setu, along with his friends Ashu Mishra, Sharad Mishra and others. A huge crowd thronged the bhandara.
Rishab Agnihorti and Prince Dixit, inmates of Lucknow University hostel, were also at the bhandara to have ‘prasad’. “On Bada Mangal, I prefer to come to this bhandara at Hanuman Setu instead of having lunch at the hostel canteen,” said Dixit.
“It is out of religious fervour that we come here every Bada Mangal,” said Agnihotri.
Sandhya Vajpayee and his son Aviral were also at the Hanuman Setu on Tuesday. “We come to Hanuman Setu on every Bada Mangal. After offering prayer at the temple, we surely take ‘prasad’ at the bhandara,” said Sandhya.