A small Durga Temple , Akhand Vasini Temple , in Patna, Bihar, is attracting thousands of devotees because of a holy flame – Diya – which is burning non-stop for 107 years (in 2020). The flame is referred as Akhand Jyoti and was brought to the temple from the famous Kamakhya Temple in Assam .
"We call this 'Akhand Jyoti' (uninterrupted
flame). It has become a flame of faith as it has been burning incessantly in
front of the idol of Goddess Durga here. We aptly called
it Akhand Vasini Temple," said Basukinath Tiwary, the main priest
of the temple.
It was Basukinath's father late Vishwanath Tiwary, who
brought the flame from Kamakhya in Assam to Patna in June
1914, after completing elaborate prayers and rituals. He converted a room in
the house near the famous 'Golghar' a dome-shaped granary built by the British,
into sanctum sanctorum and placed the flame there.
The priest also reveals that another 'ghee lamp' was
established close to the oil lamp, and has also been burning constantly for
over seven decades now.
"We pour mustard oil and ghee twice daily in the lamps.
The rest is taken care of by the devotees," he added.
Though worshippers visit the temple round the year,
especially on Tuesdays, the Navratri is special. Thousands of men and women
visit daily and the numbers go up to 10,000 during the last two-three days of
Durga Puja.
Basukinath said the devotees come with knots of
turmeric, flowers, vermilion, sweets and coconut as offerings to appease the
Goddess. He or other members of the family lend a helping hand in assisting the
visitors in the prayers.
"We follow the traditional method of worship here.
There has been no change in it since the time when my father came here. 'Chandi
path' is conducted by Brahmins especially invited to the temple. We also get
temporary tents and sheds erected for the devotees who queue during the
festival," added the priest.
A grand feast on the 'ashtami' or the eighth day of the Navratri is organised at which devotees get sumptuous 'prasad' or offerings made to the Goddess.