Page 38 - Amrit Varta - Issue Feb. 2023 - English

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

silver idols was performed by dipping them in water kept in a big brass vessel.
Again on Ma’s direction prân-pratishtâ (soulful oblation) of the new Idols
were conducted by Baba Bholanath. Ma the eternal source of energy distributed
energy and zeal to everyone around and this function turned into a grand
ceremony.
Bhog of Ma Annapurna.
The next day, according to the rules of Annakut and of course on Ma’s
directives, 108 different varieties of bhog were prepared and offered to Ma
Annapurna. A glass almirah with a door was constructed and Ma Annapurna’s
throne set was placed within it. Every day after the bhog rites, offerings were
also given to the yagna-kund within the temple itself.
Ma’s instruction regarding the spices used for the bhog.
One day Ma informed, “To maintain the purity of the bhog, wash most of the
spices, etc, and use white rock salt (Sendha) and turmeric root. Try to self-
prepare the whole year’s ghee in-house for the bhog rice and for the yagna
too.
Ma’s directive regarding the Puja
Ma also advised the people giving service in the Temple kitchen, “The Idols
of Annapurna, Shiva, Kali, Vishnu, and Ganesh Gods will be kept within a
glass enclosure. Uncooked raw bhog (Neibedya) will be offered to the Panch-
devta which will include Ganesh, Surya, Laxmi-Narayan, Jay-Durga, etc.”
Regarding cooked bhog, Ma said, “Now the first cooked bhog (food) was
offered on a Tuesday. Last year too, the installation of Ma Annapurna was on a
Tuesday. Hence on Tuesday and Friday the bhog will be elaborate and consist of
at least five dishes.”
Suddenly on the morning of 2nd June, 1932 Ma boarded a horse carriage
and went around people’s houses with Her sari stretched on Her two hands
begging for alms. A lot of items were collected. Those who are non-brahmins
were not allowed to prepare and cook the 108 items of Ma Annapurna’s bhog.
Hence Ma instructed them to cook excellent foods with the sacred items
obtained from Ma’s begging and these were offered to Ma Annapurna as bhog.
Shree Shree RamThakur
Ma last visited Dhaka on 22nd April 1946. After that Ma did not visit Dhaka
again. After Ma returned back from Dhaka, the devotees there became depressed
and were full of anguish to have Ma’s darshan. The women devotees were es-
pecially in tears to miss their heart’s jewel. On hearing the news of the arrival
of the aged Yogi RamThakur in Dhaka, Satyababu’s wife and few other ladies