Hometown holds prayers for recovery of Big B, family
PRAYAGRAJ: Special prayers were held on Sunday in temples of Sangam city—birthplace and hometown of megastar Amitabh Bachchan—for the speedy recovery of the actor and his family members who have tested positive for Covid-19.
Havans, recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and prayers were offered by the actor’s fans as well as other city residents who have always been proud of Bachchan’s connection with the city.
The news of Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek followed by daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai and granddaughter Aaradhya testing Covid-19 positive was greeted by shock and disbelief.
Locals led by Bachchan fans started offering prayers for his quick recovery even as other religious rituals also started.
At the Bade Hanuman temple, the temple’s Chote Mahant Anand Giri led special prayers wherein Hanuman Chalisa was recited to please the deity and seek ‘His’ blessings for the well being of ‘Big B’, as the actor his popularly known, and his family. “Amitabh has earned laurels for India and has always stood up for cause of women security, a natural disaster and pandemic like Covid-19 offering help and speaking out when it is needed. Today we all prayed for his long life and quick recovery along with his family members,” said Anand Giri. He said regular prayers would be offered at the temple for the Bachchan family till they recover and get discharged from the hospital.
A band of his fans also organised a ‘havan’ on the banks of Yamuna near Boat Club. “We held a ‘havan’ to pray to the Almighty to keep Amitabh Bachchan safe and for his quick recovery. We prayed that he and his family beat novel coronavirus and return home safely,” said Satyendra Tiwari, a big Amitabh fan who had organised the ritual. Born and bred in Prayagraj (then Allahabad), Amitabh, now 77, resided in a Clive Road bungalow with his parents mother Teji, a social activist and father Harivansh Rai Bachchan, a renowned litterateur.
He studied from class 1 to class 7 at the Boys’ High School and College between 1949 and 1955 before moving to Sherwood College, Nainital. In 1984, he also successfully contested parliamentary polls from Allahabad seat.