Page 36 - Amrit Varta - Issue Feb. 2023 - English

26 MA ANANDAMAYEE AMRIT VARTA Vol. 27, No.1, February2023

and a golden necklace of This Body, for making all these Idols. As long as
Annapurna’s Idol is not fabricated, Annapurna Puja and bhog will be offered
on Kali’s puja pot. Kali’s Puja pot will be made of brass. Kamlakant’da wrote
down Ma’s detailed instructions. Bhaiji was informed to come here. On arriving
he heard everything from Kamlakant’da and went to meet Ma. Hearing Ma’s
instructions Bhaiji was ecstatic and excitedly returned back for the new
constructions in the Dhaka Ramna Ashram.
Shree Shree Ma arrives at the grounds of the Ramna Ashram.
Earlier on 13th April 1929, Shree Shree Ma first arrived in the Ramna Area.
On Ma’s instructions and Ma’s Grace, on the north of the Ramna Kalibari, in the
central portion of the race course, Bhaiji first constructed the Ramna Ashram
with a small hut for Ma. On 2nd May 1929, Ma first entered the Ramna Ashram.
Regarding an Ashram, Ma has said, “An Ashram means a pure and holy place, on
entering which an excitement of spirituality arises. Everyone should make efforts
day and night that the atmosphere of this place remains pious and holy by sâdhan-
bhajan, sat-chintâ, sat-âlochana, etc.” The Annapurna Temple was also
getting built and gradually within one year it was fully constructed.
Ma Annapurna’s Idol
During Ma’s Janmotsav in May 1929, the newly fabricated sparkling white
silver Idols of Ma Annapurna, Ma Kali, Shiva, Vishnu and Ganesh were
installed concurrently in the newly constructed Annapurna Temple. Kulda’da
got all the rules and regulations of the rites and worships of all these Gods
written down in detail from Shri Shirish Chakravorty, an expert pundit of Dhaka
University. The installation rituals along with the grand bathing of the Idols started
from Maha-nishâ (midnight). All rituals were conducted by Baba Bholanath
with mantras and procedures as instructed by Ma. Kulda’da, Yogesh’da and
Atul’da were helping Baba Bholanath. The whole Ashram was packed with people
and kirtan was going on vibrantly in the courtyard.
Ma’s Janmotsav rituals were conducted on Ma Annapurna’s Idol
During the installation rituals of Ma Annapurna and other idols, Ma was
resting in an enclosure within the new Temple. Bhaiji was also with Ma. What
Ma said to Bhaiji about these idols is not known. But a special kheyâl of Ma
was clearly understood that, the special Puja performed on Ma’s divine Body
during Janmotsav will now onwards be performed on the new Ma Annapurna
Idol here in Ramna Ashram. Just as Vishnu Puja is performed on a Narayan
shilâ (a special stone), similarly if Ma’s Puja is being performed on Ma