Thousands of devotees partook in Prasad; State Women’s Commission Chairperson Dr. Babita Chauhan also participated in service
Agra, The historic Shri Manokameshwar Nath Temple in Agra hosted its annual Bhandaara on Monday, continuing a long-standing tradition of devotion, service, and community unity. The event drew over 30,000 devotees, who queued in orderly lines to receive Prasad throughout the afternoon and late into the night.
The temple premises reverberated with chants of “Har Har Mahadev,” accompanied by devotional music and traditional band performances, creating a vibrant spiritual atmosphere. Foreign visitors also witnessed the event, appreciating the Indian tradition of Bhandaara, which emphasizes hospitality, discipline, and social harmony.
Dr. Babita Chauhan, Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, personally served Prasad to devotees. She remarked,
“Shri Manokameshwar Nath Temple is the spiritual and cultural center of Agra. This annual Bhandaara exemplifies devotion, service, and social cohesion.”
Tilakayat Shree Mahant Yogesh Puri Maharaj added,
“This Bhandaara is not merely about distributing Prasad. It is a medium to unite society, promote the spirit of service, and keep Indian traditions alive.”
Temple administrator Harihar Puri reported that the event successfully served over 30,000 devotees, highlighting the dedication and selfless service of volunteers.
A Celebration of Interfaith Harmony
The event also saw participation from leaders and followers of various faiths, who partook in Prasad and praised the gathering as a celebration of communal unity.
Notable attendees included Maulana Uzer Alam, Haji Afak Ahmed, and Mohammad Ateeq, who stated that “this festival transcends religion and celebrates humanity.”
Women and Children’s Participation
The Shri Manokameshwar Women’s Committee played a key role in organizing the event. Members including Deepti Garg, Bhavna Agrawal, Nirmala Goswami, Payal, Durgesh, Shipra, Neelima, Anna, Shimla, Sonu, Savita, Rita, and Sushma Rani contributed significantly.
Children from Shri Manokameshwar Bal Vidyalaya actively participated, learning the values of hospitality and service embedded in Indian culture.
Prominent Attendees
The event was attended by Sudhir Yadav, Bunty Grover, Upma Gupta, Rajesh Goel, Sanjeev Choubey, Dr. Harendra, Pushkal Gupta, Uttam Singh, Sonu Diwakar, Rahul Chaturvedi, Pawan Samadhiya, Vijay Gupta, Rajkumar Khandelwal, Amar Gupta, Swami Sadashiv, Maulana Uzer Alam, Haji Afak Ahmed, Mohammad Ateeq, Ravindra Singh Rana, Kuldeep Thakur, Nav Gajanan Goswami, Anoop Yadav and many other dignitaries.
National athletes Anshika (Judo) and Shivani (Taekwondo) also participated in the service activities.
The annual Bhandaara of Baba Manokameshwar Nath continues to be a shining example of devotion, community service, and social unity. It not only showcases religious devotion but also promotes humanity, harmony, and cultural continuity, reinforcing the temple’s status as a spiritual and social hub of Agra.
