LUCKNOW, Nov. 11 -- The Annakut Mahotsav was celebrated with religious fervor at various temples across the city on Tuesday, drawing large crowds of devotees for darshan and mahaprasad. At the Shri Khatu Shyam Mandir, more than 25,000 devotees received the Annakut prasad. General secretary Rupesh Agrawal noted that preparations for the festival had been underway for a week. "After offering traditional dishes as bhog to the idols, the prasad was distributed among the devotees," Agrawal said. "A true confluence of devotion and service was visible in the temple premises." The Annakut Mahotsav committee president at Shri Madhav Mandir in Daliganj, Bihari Lal Sahu, said that this year, as in the past, a mahabhog comprising 56 types of seasonal vegetables, puri, kadhi-chawal, halwa and kheer was offered. Following the aarti and the chanting of mantras, the mahaprasad was distributed. The event featured Harinam Sankirtan and women performed bhajans dedicated to Bal Gopal. At the 164-year-old Kali Bari in Ghasiyari Mandi, the Shri Shri Mahanisha Kali Puja and Annakut festival was observed from November 8 to 10. Managing committee president Gautam Bhattacharya explained that the Mahanisha Kali Puja, dedicated to Goddess Kali, is performed on the night of Amavasya in the month of Kartik. "Also known as Shyama Puja or Deepanwita Kali Puja, this festival is closely associated with Diwali," Bhattacharya said. "It is performed to suppress inauspicious forces and protect auspicious ones, while highlighting the importance of knowledge, karma and sacrifice." Priest Rupnath Mahapatra conducted the rituals. As part of the Annakut celebrations, the temple was decorated with an offering of 56 types of bhog, including rice, sweets, fruits and dry fruits. Following the evening aarti, Annakut prasad was distributed to approximately 7,000 people....