ACHNERA, UTTAR PRADESH, April 28, 2012 (Newstrack India): A Hindu temple in this small, bustling town on the outskirts of Agra is making a record of sorts with the continuous recital of the Indian epic Ramayana for the past 18 years.
The Ram Hanuman temple opposite the Achnera railway station, about 15 miles from Agra, has become a major centre of attraction for locals and those visiting the town. The recital of the holy book since 1994 is a feat every resident of this town is proud of.
The ‘akhand paath’ or continuous recital started October 21, 1994, and since then the Ramayana has been recited more than 3,440 times, the temple priest claims. The temple is located on the Uttar Pradesh-Rajasthan border. He says there has never been a shortage of ‘pathaks’ or readers. ‘They consider it a privilege to volunteer their services…there is some invisible force that sustains the enthusiasm of people.’