Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Jan 24: The 52nd Brahma Baiderkala Nema and annual Mahapuja were ceremoniously inaugurated on Saturday at the Brahma Baiderkala Garadi in Borivali East’s Devulapada, the revered worship centre of Tulunadu folk deity Koti Chennaya. The festival, conducted under the stewardship of the Om Shri Jagadheeshwari Seva Samiti (Regd), has been organised for nearly five decades, drawing devotees from across the city.

The celebrations began with the Kalasha Pratishthe, the ritual installation of the sacred pot, led and guided by the Samiti’s founder-president, Shekhar Indu Salyan Katapadi. Traditional Nema festival rites at the Garadi were performed by Raghu K Kotiyan, while Vidwan Sukumar Bhat Baikal, officiating as the priest, conducted the pooja ceremonies and distributed tirtha prasadam to the assembled devotees, invoking the blessings of the deities.

In the evening, the Samiti, under the leadership of Shekhar Indu Saliyan and president Lakshna S Saliyan, felicitated Udupi State festival awardee Daivaradhaka Shri Buba Parav of Kouduru, Karkala. The honours included a shawl, sacred thread, flowers, a memento, and a citation. In addition, donors, devotees, and service volunteers of the community were specially recognised for their longstanding contribution to the festival and local religious activities.

The ceremony was attended by prominent community members, including Ramesh Kotiyan Malluru, Bermu Parav, Sukesh Poojari of Balkatta Garadi, Ravi Poojari of Kurkall Garadi, vice-president Dayananda Poojary Warang, general secretary Sadashiva D Salyan Warang, treasurer Ashish R Kotiyan, joint secretary Karunakar K Kapu, and joint treasurer Usha S Sapalig.

The event also saw participation from Samiti advisors, executive committee members, former and current office-bearers, archakas, youth and women’s committees, and a large congregation of devotees, all of whom received blessings from Shri Jagadheeshwari and Shri Brahma Baiderkala.

Karunakar K Kapu delivered the welcome address, Usha S Sapalig read the citation, Dayananda Poojary Warang introduced the awardees and anchored the programme, while Sadashiva D Saliyan Warang offered prayers. In the evening, devotees were granted a special darshan of Baiderkala.

The festival will continue on Sunday with Gana Homa, Durga Pooja, and evening darshan of the deity, followed by the Baiderkala Nema, and the traditional Jogi Purusha and Mayandala Nema rituals.

Prasad Salyan Kaly of Mulund will serve as Devi Patri, with Narsappa K Marnad and Umesh Suvarna as Madhyastha, while Sukesh Poojary and Ravi Poojari will act as Baiderkala poojaris. Satish Poojary of Manibettu Garadi, Shirva, will serve as Garadi archaka. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Harish Poojari and the Ghatkoper ensemble, along with Valagada Neenada, during which Buba Parav, Jayakar Parav, and Vitthal Parav will preside over the Kol rituals. The festival will culminate with Mangala Nema on Monday morning, as confirmed by the Samiti office-bearers.