Lucknow, 13 May (HS): The bhandara season began in the state
capital on Tuesday, with devotees braving the sweltering weather to swarm the
Hanuman temples. Devotees gathered in great numbers at several Hanuman temples
around Aliganj, Hazratganj, Aminabad, and University Road to offer prayers on
the inaugural ‘Bada Mangal’. A bhandara is a large-scale community feast held
on holy festivals.
Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, expressed his
greetings in an X post on the occasion.
Happy Bada Mangal, the first Tuesday in the month of Jyeshta! May Sankatmochak, Lord of amazing power,
Kesarinandan, bless everyone with courage, dedication, and good health. Deputy
Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak also went to X to greet
the people of the state.
Om Hanumate Namaha! Best
wishes to everyone in the country and state on the auspicious occasion of Bada
Mangal, which falls on the first Tuesday of Jyeshtha month! We ask to Lord Shri Hanuman, the slayer of
difficulties, to bestow courage, prudence, and intelligence onto all of us,
Maurya stated in X post.
Warm congratulations to the whole country and state on the
hallowed holiday of Bada Mangal. Brajesh
posted. According to Prayagraj-based astrologer Ashutosh Varshney, Bada Mangal
refers to Tuesdays in the Hindu month of Jyestha (also known as Jeth). It is said that on Bada Mangal, Lord Hanuman
met Lord Ram for the first time, and their friendship became deeper. This year, Bada Mangal events will take place
on five Tuesdays beginning May 13.
Given its historical significance, the Hanuman temple in Aliganj
is a famous pilgrimage destination for Hindus. There are various traditions
surrounding its beginnings, one of which is that Nawab Wajid Ali Shah’s
grandmother, Aliya Begum, prayed at the shrine to recover from her illness. Once
recovered, she organized a great celebration, providing generous charity and
preserving the fair’s respected history, according to the Lucknow District
Administration website.
According to Lucknow-based astrologer Trilokinath Singh, who
conducts bhandaras at the Aliganj temple, this temple is a tribute to the
surviving heritage of Aliya Begum, Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula’s wife and respected
grandmother of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. It
represents interfaith cooperation, inviting followers from many religious
backgrounds to gather every Tuesday throughout the auspicious month of Jyestha.
Lucknow Municipal Corporation PRO Pranjal Dixit stated that
around 400 bhandaras are being organized by various organizations throughout
the city.
Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi
