by Arun Pathak
Bokaro: The Mithila Sanskritik Parishad, a prominent organization of Maithili speakers, celebrated the traditional Kojagara Utsav with great enthusiasm on Wednesday evening. The event, held at the auditorium of Mithila Academy Public School in Sector-4E, was a vibrant reflection of Mithila’s rich cultural heritage.
The festival was inaugurated by key members of the council, including General Secretary Neeraj Chaudhary, former General Secretary Satish Chandra Jha, Finance Secretary Mihir Mohan Thakur, and Cultural Program Incharge Arun Pathak. The inaugural ceremony began with the garlanding of the statue of Mahakavi Vidyapati, paying homage to the legendary poet who is central to the Mithila culture.
In his welcome address, Neeraj Chaudhary explained the significance of Kojagara Utsav, which is celebrated on the night of Ashwin Purnima. He highlighted that the festival is marked by Lakshmi Puja in every household and is particularly notable for the night-long vigil, a tradition that holds special importance in Mithila, especially among newly married couples. He urged the community to preserve and promote the rich cultural practices of Mithila for future generations.
The evening’s festivities featured a grand cultural program, organized under the coordination of renowned singer and Cultural Program Incharge Arun Pathak. The program kicked off with a rendition of the Bhagwati Vandana, a devotional hymn composed by Vidyapati, setting the tone for the celebration.
The success of the event was also attributed to the collective efforts of several community members, including Hari Mohan Jha, Anil Kumar Jha, Prabhat Kumar Jha, and Govind Ji Thakur, who played pivotal roles in the event’s organization and execution.
Prominent figures from the Mithila community, including Jai Prakash Chaudhary, Kamal Kant Pathak, Rajendra Kumar, Shambhu Jha, Sunil Mohan Thakur, and many others, attended the occasion, adding to the festive spirit.
The Kojagara Utsav, with its cultural richness and community participation, not only celebrated Mithila’s traditions but also strengthened the bonds of the Maithili-speaking community in Bokaro, reaffirming the importance of cultural preservation and collective celebration.
