ZCZC
BSS-47
SHIV-PUJA-CTG (Corrected re-run)
Thousands of devotees gather at Chandranath Temple to offer Shiv puja
CHATTOGRAM, March 4, 2019 (BSS)- Thousands of devotees gathered at 300-
year old Chandranath Temple, 1,800 feet above sea level, in Sitakunda hills of
the district today to offer Shiv puja and visit the Shiv Chaturdashi fair.
The Chandranath Mandir, a holy place to the Hindu community, is once again
vibrant as thousands of devotees from home and abroad thronged the site for
three-day Shibchaturdashi Puja.
Centering the puja, a 10-day fair also began today which will continue next
nine days. Shibchaturdashi (religious festival) is observed at the temples
amid great festivity and grandeur.
Earlier, Chattogram City Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin inaugurated the
Shibchaturdashi Puja while state minister for Local Government, Rural
Development and Cooperatives Swapan Kumar Bhattacharya addressed the function
as the chief guest at Mohonto Asthana last night.
Advocate Swdanmoy Bhattacharya presided over the function while principal
of Ramkrisno Mission Srimot Shoktinathando Moharaj lighted Mongol Candle at
8.40 pm last night.
Administrator of Sitakunda Srine Committee and district and session judge
Mohammad Ismail Hossain addressed the function as special guest.
Pilgrims of different ages climb the long stairs today that lead to Chandranath
Mandir (temple) at the Sitakindhu Chandranath hill, General Secretary of
Sitakunda Srine Committee Advocate Chandhon Das told BSS.
Devotees from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Malaysia also
gather at the Mandir as they believe it to be one of the most sacred places
for them, he said.
They also believe that until a visit to Chandranath Mandir, at least once in
life, all their homage to Shib or Mohadev and pilgrimage remains incomplete.
Sitakunda Srine Committee is being taken care of the Mandir.
Advocate Shukhamoy, a devotee, said among the three temples in Sitakunda,
only the Chandranath Mandir possesses the original statue of Shiv that appeared
there with the help of divine power.
BSS/MAM/SSS/2004 hrs