Gomti ‘Maha aarti’ with national anthem

LUCKNOW: Unlike most functions which conclude with the playing of the national anthem, the Gomti ‘Maha aarti’ on Kartik Poornima on November 25, will begin with ‘Jana Gana Mana’. Also falling on the day is Dev Deepawali, when gods are believed to celebrate Diwali. It is celebrated in Varanasi and in Lucknow, Mankameshwar Temple is planning to replicate the event on the banks of Gomti.After the Maha-aarti rituals, Vande Mataram will be rendered.
To spread word about the programme, organisers are turning to social network and SMS to send a recorded message of the Mahant of Mankameshwar temple Divya Giri.
Devya Charitable Trust spokesperson Shashikant Dwivedi alias Gopla said, “As many as 11,111 lamps made of wheat flour would be flowed into the Goddess Gomti and they would act as fodder for fishes.” He added that 11 platforms are being built, with nearly 200 tables.
Efforts are on to build 6-feet-long ghaats for Deepdaan. A number of cultural programmes are also expected to be staged during the programme, in which students from city schools will participate.