Thousands join two-day bhajan, kirtan and yagna at Chekpipri's Jagannath Maharaj Devasthan

Chekpipri village near Gondpipri was steeped in devotion on October 15 and 16 with bhajans, religious discourses and music. Several programmes were held to mark 21 years since the founding of the Jagannath Maharaj Devasthan, and thousands of devotees took part. Several dignitaries were also felicitated.

The foundation of the shrine was laid about 21 years ago by Ulhas Karpe, a director of the Chandrapur District Central Cooperative Bank, who is also chairman of its divisional loan committee. Chekpipri is four kilometres from Gondpipri. Started with a commitment to spiritual awakening through spirituality, the devasthan has become a place of faith for thousands of devotees. Besides religious work, it also runs social initiatives.

The programme began on the 15th with the installation of the ghat by Shri Maroti Maharaj Halasti. On the morning of October 16, a palkhi padyatra was taken out through Chekpipri village, in which many people took part with great enthusiasm. A Panchkundi Gayatri yagna was also held. In the afternoon, a grand kirtan by Ha.Bha.Pa. Suvarnatai Pimplekar was held.

In the evening, mahaprasad and ghugrikala were distributed, and a devotional music programme was also held. Dr Devendra Yadav, a well-known tabla player of Maharashtra, Avinash Kannake, a disciple of Maharashtra's bhajan samrat Pandit Rankanath Vairagkar, and Suvarnatai Pimplekar presented devotional music to the devotees. The devotees present were overcome with emotion and immersed in devotion.

Throughout the programme, Sant Sonamata conveyed a message of devotion to people through a kala aarti. Meanwhile, Hanuman Vasekar, Jhade Madam and Kumbhare Madam presented a bhajan programme. At night, an entertainment programme was held by Sai Musical Orchestra.

Those present included Rajura Municipal Council president Arun Dhote, former MLA Sanjay Dhote, Pandurang Jadhav and Jayant Tembhurde, among other dignitaries. Thousands of citizens attended, including Sandeep Karpe, Kishor Agasti, Shrikant Malojhalwar, Ishan Karpe, Rina Karpe and Ira Karpe, along with Ulhas Karpe. Various initiatives were also undertaken on the occasion.