THE traditional sacred sea bath Kartik Snaan taken by Hindus to celebrate Kartik will not be done this year due to the Covid-19 public health regulation since beaches are closed until further notice.
The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha SDMS in a press release stated that many mandirs will be having Kartik Nahan Satnarayan Puja instead on Thursday.
The SDMS stated, “This year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the SDMS is unable to host its annual Kartik Snaan celebrations throughout Trinidad given the fact that our beaches remain closed. As the SDMS continues to act in accordance with our Public Health Regulations, many mandirs will be having Kartik Nahan Satnarayan Puja Thursday 18 November.”
The SDMS stated that it continued to offer prayers led by its spiritual leader Pundit Dr Rampersad Parasram for the betterment of the national community.
“We urge everyone to take the necessary precautions and to follow the various protocols to ensure their safety and good health,” the SDMS stated.
Hindus believe that the month of Kartik is favourable for fasting and worship as such devotions result in great blessings and merits. The month of Kartik is usually between October and November and the five days of Divali is also observed during this time.
According to the Skanda Puruna, Surya Dev said the holy bath can be taken any time in any water but the greatest blessings come from taking a bath in a lake.
In Trinidad, Kartik Snaan is celebrated by thousands of devotees gathering at beaches such as Manzanilla Beach, Flower Pot Beach, Claxton Bay and the Guapo Beach Resort in Point Fortin- among others.
The bath is taken after puja Hindu prayers are completed at the beach.
The Kartik Snaan celebrations have been observed by Trinidad’s Hindu community since 1956 by the SDMS under its first president general Bhadase Sagan Maraj. Over the recent years, it has been held by Northeast Regional Council of the SDMS and its chairman Lall Bhagaloo.
