Sambalpur: Mahanadi Aarti to Resume in New Form in Sambalpuri Language; Mahanadi Prayer to be Performed with Compositions by Ratan Pujari
Sambalpur: After nearly a year, the Samaleswari Temple Trust Board is making efforts to resume the ‘Mahanadi Aarti,’ which will now take place in a completely new format. Maa Samaleswari, the spiritual center of Western Odisha, holds immense devotion among the people of the region, irrespective of where they live in the world. Situated on the banks of the Mahanadi, the lifeline of Odisha, the temple has long been a hub of faith.
In 2024, Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik introduced the ‘Mahanadi Aarti’ during the Samalei Project’s inauguration on January 27. He designed this initiative to celebrate the sacred Mahanadi River’s glory, similar to the famous Ganga Aarti. Officials conducted the Aarti at a newly constructed Aarti Ghat under the Samalei Project, which aimed to highlight the Mahanadi’s ancient cultural and religious significance.
Temporary Suspension of Aarti
Despite devotees turning out in overwhelming numbers during the initial Aarti sessions, authorities abruptly discontinued the ‘Mahanadi Aarti’ after completing the Yajna rituals on January 31, 2024. They attributed this discontinuation to their lack of proper arrangements at the time.
Online Sambalpur Is Now On WhatsApp!
Join us for the latest news updates delivered directly to your WhatsApp.
Subscribe Us On YouTube!
Join us for the latest news updates and video content delivered directly to you.
Resumption of the ‘Mahanadi Aarti’
However, the Samaleswari Temple Trust Board is now determined to restart the ‘Mahanadi Aarti.’ Preparations for the event are in the final stages. According to Sanjay Babu, the chairman of the Trust Board, this time, the Aarti will include a special song dedicated to the Mahanadi, titled ‘Mahanadi Vandana’, composed by the renowned lyricist Ratan Pujari.
Sambalpuri Touch to the Aarti
Priests will perform the revamped Aarti in the Sambalpuri language, creating a stronger cultural connection for the people of Western Odisha. The inclusion of the Sambalpuri song aims to add a local flavor and evoke a deeper emotional resonance among the devotees.
With these efforts, the Trust Board hopes to make the ‘Mahanadi Aarti’ a regular feature, attracting pilgrims and tourists while preserving the cultural heritage of Western Odisha.
