Why Do 2 Temples In MP Celebrate Independence Day On August 11 Instead Of August 15?

As India plans to celebrate its 80th Independence Day on August 15, two famous temples in Madhya Pradesh celebrated the national festival four days early on August 11. The Pashupatinath Temple in Mandsaur and the Bade Ganesh Temple in Ujjain followed a long-standing tradition of marking Independence Day according to the Hindu calendar. Scroll down to know more.

2 Famous Temples In MP Celebrated Independence Day On August 11

As per a report by The Indian Express, in both the temples, the celebrations featured special prayers, religious rituals, flag hoisting and a Tiranga Yatra. The tradition is linked to August 15, 1947, when India gained independence from British rule. According to temple priests, the date corresponded with Shravan Krishna Chaturdashi in the Hindu calendar. This year, the tithi fell on August 11.

At the ancient Pashupatinath Temple, located along the Shivna River in Mandsaur, special blessings and rituals were conducted on Tuesday. The temple’s distinctive eight-faced Shivling was adorned and worshipped during the celebrations.

As per the news portal, around 250 devotees attended the programme. Umesh Joshi, president of the Jyotish and Karmakand Parishad, an organisation of temple priests and devotees, told the portal that the Shivling was given an abhishek using water containing durva, a type of grass considered sacred in Hindu worship. The ritual was performed while Vedic hymns were chanted.

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The devotees also prayed for India to become a developed nation by 2047. According to Umesh Joshi, devotees believe that performing an abhishek of Lord Shiva with water containing durva helps overcome typical obstacles. He added that the temple has followed the tradition of observing Independence Day on Shravan Krishna Chaturdashi since 1985.

Independence Day Celebration As Per Hindu Calendar

Another important temple, the Bade Ganesh Temple in Ujjain, also celebrated Independence Day on August 11 with a combination of religious and patriotic activities.

Priest Akshat Vyas, who is associated with the temple management, told the news portal that the shrine has been observing national festivals according to the Hindu calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar for several decades. He also said Lord Ganesh is worshipped at the temple as the “God of the republic”.

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As part of the celebrations, believers took part in a Tiranga Yatra accompanied by drumbeats and patriotic slogans. The national flag was first offered to Lord Ganesh, followed by a special maha aarti.

The tricolour was then hoisted on the temple’s main spire, marking the occasion with both religious rituals and patriotic fervour.

What are your thoughts about this celebration?

Cover Image Courtesy: Facebook/Ajay-Atul, Ajay Gogavale

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