By Radhapad Das
The annual Panihati Chida Dahi Mahotsav (yogurt and chipped rice festival) or the famous Dandamahotsav is celebrated on the 13th day of bright moon in the month of Jyestha (May-June). This festival was first celebrated by Srila Raghunath Das Goswami (Son of a wealthy landlord of Adi-Saptagram) on the orders of Lord Nityananda Prabhu (Incarnation of Lord Balaram) in the year 1516 on the same day.
Wednesday, 7th June this year marked the 501th anniversary of this festival. The Panihati branch, next to ferryghat boasts to be one the rare ISKCON centers on the bank of Ganges with a well maintained bathing ghat. Strategically located next to Mahotsavatala on the one hand, Raghava Bhawan on the other, with deities of Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, Srila Prabhupada, Goddess Jagadhatri, and Lord Shiva in His two forms as Tarakeshwar and Gangadhar this center has a lot to promise. On this occasion the devotees of the ISKCON center Sri Sri Gaur Nitai Mandir at 37, Gauranga Ghat Road at Panihati were all fired up and distributed free Chida Dahi prasadam to 17,000 visiting pilgrims.
A crowd control team comprising of congregation members and our Youth Boys of Jai Nitai Task Force ensured the smooth functioning of the whole program. The Mahaprasadam distribution started at 8:00 AM and went on till 4:00 PM. A cultural program with kids of Prahlad garden performed a dance and recited slokas from Brahma Samhita. Lectures by senior devotees, Harinam Sankirtan and Bhajan performances by a team of devotees from Panihati, Mayapur and Kolkata invoked devotional feelings using Violins, Bass Guitar, Octapads and the traditional Mridanga, Kartals and Harmonium which went on till 8:00 PM.
Many noted dignitaries graced including the local MLA, PF Commissioner of Barrackpore, ESIC Director and his Deputy Director visited the occasion to serve the pilgrims and take part in the festivities. Special booths for youngsters and householders and book distribution were also planned. The book “Sripath Panihati Iti Katha” in Bengali was distributed to the visitors.
Special lifeguards were deployed for avoiding any untoward incident while the pilgrims take their baths. The visitors were given a chance to offer special puja to Sri Sri Gaur Nitai.
See the snaps of the festival on the following link
https://goo.gl/phr66s