Hindus end 30 days of fasting for family, prosperity

304384thumbmDevotees from Jai Mahakali Mandir perform their final ritual after three days of prayer at Naisoso, Nadi.

The drone of a lali calling Christians to service early yesterday morning in Naisoso, Nadi, was interspersed with shouts of “govinda” from Hindu devotees at the Jai Mahakali temple.

A ceremony to mark the end of 30 days of fasting and sacrifice was held as devotees headed out to sea to disperse flowers after three days of prayers at the temple. Committee president and Bargain Box Fiji Ltd owner Ratish Kamal Roy said the annual pooja was a time when sacrifices were made for family and business fortunes to prosper.

“We hold this pooja once a year and it requires abstinence from meat and alcohol for thirty days,” he said.

“At the end of that period, we gather at the temple beginning on a Thursday and have prayers and singing of Hindu religious songs.

“On Saturday some devotees had their bodies pierced then on Sunday we ended the pooja by taking the flowers that we use during the pooja to the sea.”

Source: Fiji Times