Munish Sood
Mandi: A grand ‘mahayajna’ was organised on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) at the historic Siddh Kali Temple in Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. The ritual, however, has triggered a religious and political storm.
The event, led by Jagatguru Tripura Peethadheeshwar Chakravarti Yagna Samrat Shri Shri 1008 Hari Om Ji Maharaj, was held for the welfare of people affected by Himachal’s recent natural calamity. On the occasion, the seer also urged the government to declare September 17 as “International Yajna Day”.
The function was organised by the BJP and saw the participation of senior party leaders, including former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut. While the BJP projected the ceremony as a spiritual offering for the state’s well-being, the timing of the ritual during Pitra Paksha has ignited sharp divisions.
Priests divided over yajnas in shradh
Renowned scholar Pandit Hemant Sharma denounced the move, saying, “Pitru Paksha is that sacred fortnight when our ancestors descend to bless us, while the gods return to their celestial abodes. Yajnas and havans must never be conducted during this time. Modernisation and now political exploitation of traditions are corroding Sanatan Dharma. This is dangerous for society.”
In contrast, Acharya Pankaj welcomed the mahayajna, saying: “Who says it is wrong? I am myself conducting a seven-day Shrimad Bhagwad Katha in Shimla during Pitru Paksha. Every good ritual begins with pitra shradh. Even buying gold and clothes at this time is auspicious.”
Supporting this stance, Pandit Girja insisted: “Nowhere in our scriptures is it written that yajnas or havans cannot be performed during Shradh. This is a man-made belief, created for convenience. If gods are said to be in heaven, then why are temples open and priests performing daily worship? There is no such prohibition.”
However, young priest Shashi Bhushan rejected the practice outright: “During Pitra Paksha, no auspicious ceremonies — marriages, housewarmings or yajnas — are performed. This is a centuries-old tradition. To conduct such rituals now is wrong. The debate itself is meaningless.”
The BJP framed the mahayajna as a spiritual appeal for peace, prosperity and relief for disaster-hit Himachal. But the opposition accused the ruling party of misusing religion for political symbolism.
Veteran Congress leader Kaul Singh Thakur came out strongly against the event: “No auspicious ceremonies are held in Hinduism during Shradh. Yet the BJP organised a mahayajna just to please their master Modi on his birthday. This is not religion, but politics. They have mocked centuries-old traditions and played with people’s sentiments simply to flatter one individual.”
