Durga Temple Where Holy Flame Is Burning For 101 Years

Since then the place has served as a private temple, though devotees are allowed to pray without any charge. Sons and grandsons of Vishwanath Tiwary control the religious affairs and rituals within the premises.

"My father was a devotee, an Ayurvedic doctor and a freedom fighter. He decided to keep the temple open to all so that they could also pray and seek blessings from the Mother Goddess and Akhand Jyoti established here," said Basukinath.

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 Navaratra 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.

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.

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