Lucknow: A steady stream of devotees Kali Badi Temple in Ghasiyari Mandi on the second and concluding day of the two-day 163rd Foundation Day celebrations on Friday.People offered prayers in an atmosphere marked by devotion and festivity. The temple premises was decorated with flowers and lights for the occasion, while the deity was adorned in a red silk saree.The day’s rituals began in the morning with a ‘havan’ performed by temple priests, followed by a rendition of Chandipath by Amit Goswami.For several devotees, the celebration was also a reminder of long-standing family traditions associated with the temple. “I have been visiting the temple for the past 40 years. Coming here on this special occasion has always filled me with peace and devotion,” said devotee Saumitra Ghosh.Another devotee, Onkar Basu, said the temple visit had become a family tradition. “I have been coming to the temple with my mother for the past 22 years, and today I bring my son with me. It has become a tradition for our family,” he said.As part of the rituals, ‘bhog’ comprising ‘pulao’, fish, ‘kheer’, ‘bhaja aloo’, ‘potol’ and ‘poori’ was offered to Goddess Kali. The celebrations ended with a community ‘bhandara’.Management committee president Gautam Bhattacharya said the celebrations brought together devotees across generations. “Our effort is to preserve the temple’s traditions while keeping its doors open to everyone with the same spirit of faith and devotion,” he said.
