Buxar, 24 November (IANS). The famous Panchkosi Parikrama of Buxar district of Bihar will conclude on Sunday. In view of this, the administration has made all the security arrangements. Devotees have started gathering in large numbers for the five-day long Panchkosi Parikrama Fair.
A devotee said that Buxar in Bihar is the city of Vishwamitra. People come from far away places and eat Litti Chokha here. This is a tradition that has been going on since ancient times and we have been following it. Such an event does not take place anywhere in the world. Here only Litti Chokha will be seen everywhere. Those who are unable to come, prepare Litti Chokha at home and eat it.
Another devotee says that Panchkoshi is associated with Lord Raja Ramchandra. He had met the sages and Maharishis at Panchkosi and had accepted the Prasad. In such a situation, pilgrims visit Panchkoshi to remember Lord Ram. People come here from far and wide to make and eat Litti Chokha. A tradition has been followed and even today we are continuing that tradition.
The belief of Panchkosi Parikrama is associated with Lord Rama. In Tretayuga, Lord Ram, Lakshman and Maharishi came to Buxar to receive education along with Vishwamitra. At that time, Lord Ram had killed many demons including Tadka, Subahu and Marich in Buxar. To get rid of the guilt of murder, Lord Rama traveled with his brother Lakshman and Maharishi Vishwamitra and reached the ashrams of five sages in five different areas and took prasad of different dishes. Also received his blessings.
The first stop of Lord Ram during the Panch Yatra was at Ahiroli, the ashram of Gautam Rishi. Where Lord Rama saved Ahalya in the form of stone by touching her with his feet. Where after taking bath in Uttarayani Ganga, Lord Ram prepared a dish of Pua dish and consumed food. After this, during the second journey, Lord Ram had reached Narada Muni’s ashram Nadaon, where after taking bath in the lake, he offered Sattu and radish. After this, Bhargava reached Rishi Ashram Bhabhuar on the third day. During this, we had the meal of Chura Curd dish. At the fourth stop, we reached Uddalak Rishi Ashram, which is situated in Nuaon. Khichdi was prepared and prasad was taken there.
On the fifth day, after reaching the last stop Charitravan, he took bath in Ganga and offered Litti Chokha and accepted it as Prasad. This tradition has been going on since that time. Where people have been following this tradition till today with different dishes on all five days. Panchkoshi Yatra purifies the five elements of the living being.
Smoke is visible all around the entire areas of Buxar city as well as the fort grounds. Prasad is being prepared for every Litti Chokha. The same picture is seen at Nath Baba Ghat and other ghats also.
–IANS
AKS/AS