Bhandaras, brotherhood and devotion define sixth Bada Mangal

Lucknow: Communal harmony and devotion were visible during the sixth Bada Mangal on Tuesday.Residents from different communities joined hands to organise bhandaras across the city, strengthening Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.With chants of “Jai Bajrang Bali” ringing out in localities and long queues gathering at food counters.In Paper Mill Colony, Bengali businessman Devashsish Chwodhury arranged a bhandara where devotees and passers-by were served puri, sabzi and boondi.Applauding Lucknow’s distinctive custom, Keralite merchant navy officer Pradeep Nair said, “Before organising the bhandara, I did some research on the tradition and was impressed to see how people across all communities serve people.”The Alumni Association of Cathedral, along with the school administration, took part by serving puri-sabzi and kadhi-chawal. Former principal Father Donald DSouza said, “This tradition is a symbol of brotherhood, unity, peace and community bonding.”In Aashiana, brothers Anil Thamble and Sunil Thamble put up a bhandara offering puri-sabzi, mirchi vada and aloo vada.Near Lucknow University, Prof DR Sahu from the Odia community distributed puri, sabzi and boondi. “I belong to Odisha but have lived in Lucknow for years and adopted its traditions,” he said.Padmabhushan Tiwari of the Bhojpuri community hosted an elaborate bhandara in Indiranagar, serving puri, sabzi, boondi, kadhi-chawal, chhole, kheer and sharbat to hundreds of devotees.