Monkeys Line Up for Feast Near Akola Village Akola: In a unique celebration of Hanuman Jayanti, a village near Akola has drawn attention for an extraordinary tradition where monkeys are treated to a ceremonial feast, showcasing a rare blend of devotion and compassion toward all living beings. The tradition, observed for over 15 years at the Shri Sant Mungasaji Maharaj Sansthan near Kothali Bujurg village, highlights the community’s commitment to fostering harmony between humans and wildlife. The preparation for the event begins days in advance, with mats laid out in rows and plates arranged systematically across the temple premises. Each plate is filled with food items such as gram, soybean seeds, and sweets, considered appropriate for the monkeys. The selection of ingredients reflects both cultural significance and nutritional care, ensuring the animals receive a balanced meal. On the day of the feast, the head of the institution, Ramdas Maharaj Shinde, initiates the ceremony by calling out to the monkeys from the temple premises. Within moments, langurs descend from nearby trees and approach the arranged rows. What follows is a strikingly orderly scene: the monkeys sit in disciplined formation in front of individual plates, resembling a well-structured community meal. There is no chaos or competition for food, a behavior rarely observed in wild animals. This calm and structured pattern of behavior has become a hallmark of the event, drawing visitors and observers who marvel at the monkeys’ restraint. The tradition is deeply rooted in the spiritual and cultural ethos of the region, where Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated not only as a religious festival but also as an opportunity to honor the sanctity of all life.#akola #hanuman_jayanti #shri_sant_mungasaji_maharaj_sansthan #kothali_bujurg_village #ramdas_maharaj_shinde
