Text and pics: Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, May 16: The annual Sri Shanishwara Jayanti was celebrated with grandeur and religious fervour on Saturday evening at Sapthah Maidan in Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West, under the leadership of former North Mumbai MP Gopal C Shetty, with prayers offered for universal welfare and public well-being.
The event was organised jointly by the Tulu-Kannadiga Abhimani Balaga, Poisar Gymkhana, Poisar Yuvak Mandal and Janamitra Foundation. The religious proceedings were coordinated by noted organiser and North Mumbai BJP vice-president Ermal Harish Shetty, a prominent figure in the Tulu-Kannadiga community.
A beautifully decorated floral mandap and the consecrated kalasha formed the focal point of the celebrations. Gopal C Shetty and his wife Usha Gopal Shetty, along with Rakesh G Shetty, Aishwarya R Shetty, Jyothi Sudarshan, Sudarshan Shetty and family, Karunakara S Shetty of Poisar Gymkhana, Ermal Harish Shetty, Prathibha Harish Shetty and several others participated in the sacred rituals and poojas.
Scholar and priest Vidwan K Krishna Raj Tantri of Borivili conducted the rituals and blessed the devotees gathered for the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Vidwan Krishna Raj Tantri said Shani Jayanti holds great significance in Hindu tradition as Lord Shanishwara is believed to dispense results based on one’s karma. He noted that this year’s celebration was particularly special as Shani Jayanti fell on a Saturday after a gap of 13 years. He added that worship on this auspicious day brings mental peace and helps reduce the intensity of planetary doshas in one’s horoscope.
Addressing the gathering, Gopal C Shetty said, “According to the beliefs of Sanatana Dharma, this sacred event organised for the welfare of society is not merely a celebration of Shani Jayanti, but a message of discipline, patience and adherence to truth. Charity, feeding the poor, distribution of clothes and public service are considered sacred on this day. It is my firm belief as a devotee that Lord Shani’s blessings ensure that sincere hard work is always rewarded.”
The celebrations featured a series of Sanatana Dharma rituals including havana, japa, shloka chanting, kalasha prathisthapana, recitation of scriptures dedicated to Lord Shani, mangalarati and distribution of theertha prasada.
The event concluded in a deeply devotional atmosphere amid Vedic chants and traditional musical performances. Hundreds of devotees, dignitaries, office-bearers of various religious and social organisations, and well-wishers of the former MP participated in the celebrations and received blessings and prasada.
Among those present were Petemane Prakash Shetty, Raghunath N Shetty, Prakash Shetty, Ravindra Shetty and several devotees of Lord Shanishwara.