Panihati Cida-Dahi Mahotsav (The Festival of Mercy)
Festivals are joyous moments that bring families together for a grand celebration. Have you heard about the festival of Punishment? This beautiful celebration, known as the Panihati Festival or Cida-Dahi Mahotsav, is actually the merciful pastime of Lord Nityananda Prabhu showering grace upon Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami.
This year, by the mercy and blessings of Sri Sri Radha Londoniswara, Sri Jagannatha, Sri Baladeva, Sri Subhadra Mai, and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, the East London congregation had the blissful opportunity to celebrate this sacred festival at the Sri Radha Krishna Temple, Soho.
The Essence of Panihati
The three essential M’s one could experience through Panihati are:
- Mixing the Cida-Dahi preparation with love and devotion
- Mood of service to please Lord Nityananda
- Mercy received through serving devotees and prasadam
Planning & Preparation
The festival team, guided by senior devotees and local temple authorities, planned an offering of 53 beautiful Panihati pots in honor of the 53rd Anniversary of Sri Sri Radha Londoniswara. Each pot had a special recipe and theme lovingly prepared by members of the congregation.
Preparations took place at Studio 108 and Avanti Court Primary School, where teams of devotees gathered to mix offerings and prepare take-away prasadam for the celebration day.
The Celebration Day – 12 June 2022
The day began with Mangala Arati at the Soho temple, followed by the main Cida-Dahi preparations at Studio 108. 12 pots were offered inside the altar, while 41 others were part of the Raj Bhoga offering. Devotees engaged joyfully under time-bound preparations.
The temple room was alive with kirtans, 108 Raj Bhoga offerings, and the auction of the 53 decorated pots. The auction, led by HG Yamuneshwari Mataji, raised Lakshmi for New Mayapur Temple in France.
Drama & Bliss
A Panihati Drama led by HG Yogeshwar Prabhu conveyed the festival’s mood beautifully. The day concluded with Gaura Arati and Shayana Arati, leaving devotees uplifted by Lord Nityananda’s mercy.
A long, blissful day ended with devotees still immersed in the nectar of Panihati – a true testament to the power of service, unity, and mercy.