Pune: Alandi witnessed a grand celebration of the birth anniversary of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj as devotees gathered at the Deulwada temple.

At midnight on Monday (August 26), the Samadhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj was adorned with a silver mask, gold ornaments, and a garland of peacock feathers entwined with rose petals, presenting a mesmerizing image of Lord Krishna.

The devotees, filled with reverence, offered their prayers and took in the beauty of the decorated Samadhi.

The midnight celebration was marked by the continuous chanting of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj's name and the rhythmic beats of cymbals and mridang.

The temple resonated with the sounds of "Mauli, Mauli" and the ringing of bells as the devotees showered the Samadhi with rose petals. Sweets and ginger powder were distributed to mark the occasion.

Earlier in the evening, the Alandi Devasthan had organized a traditional Harinam Saptah, with Namdev Shastri delivering a kirtan.

The preparations for the birth celebration began after the evening incense ceremony and Haripath recitation. As midnight approached, the Moze family hosted a special kirtan on Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj's birth, while local villagers performed bhajans in the Veena Mandap.

In the Samadhi Gabhara Mandap, chief trustee Adv. Rajendra Umap performed a Gokul Puja, symbolizing Lord Krishna's birth. The Samadhi was then meticulously decorated with a silver mask and fragrant attar, adding to the spiritual atmosphere.

The celebrations reached their peak when Lakshman Maharaj Chorat, during his midnight kirtan, described the birth of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, prompting devotees to shower the Samadhi with flowers and chant the saint's name.

The event concluded with the ringing of bells and the distribution of sweets and ginger powder to all the devotees.