Durga Puja, which is also known as Durgotsab in the states of West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Orissa and Tripura, is widely celebrated with gusto and fervour.
With the installation of idols of Goddess Durga on Shashti (Monday), Bengali families in Pune have started their festive celebrations in full swing. Durga Puja, which is also known as Durgotsab in the states of West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Orissa and Tripura, is widely celebrated with gusto and fervour.
After three days of puja, on Dashami, a tearful farewell is offered to the Goddess. Subir Roy Choudhury and his family is following the tradition and celebrating Durga Puja at home in Wakad area since last year. The atmosphere at their home on Monday evening was spiritual, and children in their new dresses were full of enthusiasm.
From youngsters to the elderly, there were many relatives who have come from various places like Guwahati, Shillong, Delhi and Kolkata to take part in the celebration.
“Once you start installing the Goddess at your place, it is a tradition to follow it for at least three years. Durga Puja is an integral part of Bengali culture. It brings people together and the kids are introduced to the customs and rituals of the puja,’’ says Subir Roy Choudhury.
“Basically, it is family reunion for all of us. Goddess Durga is like a daughter to us who comes from her in-laws’ place to her parent’s house. These rituals can be inculcated in the younger generation so that they can take it further. From sindoor-khela to offering bhog, this festival is most waited by children,’’ says Subir’s wife, Maitrayee.
“Durga Puja brings lot of childhood memories. It takes me back to the time when I used to visit various pandals in Mumbai. Though I am not a religious person, this celebration gets us into the festive mood,’’ said his son, Souvik.
Subir’s 77-year-old eldest sister, Chinu, who has come from Vadodara, was seen enjoying the rhythmic music of dhol at the celebration. “This festival celebrates togetherness. The main purpose of this puja is to bring everyone under one roof as it brings lot of joy and social bonding. The entire atmosphere is sanctified and religious,’’ said Chinu.
Devotees welcome mahavastram for Mahalaxmi
A large number of devotees welcomed the mahavastram of the Goddess Mahalaxmi that arrived in Kolhapur from Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD) in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. It is a silk saree offered to Goddess Mahalaxmi in Kolhapur by TTD every Navratri.
A police band offered a special salute to the mahavastram, and the procession of the mahavastram was taken from the Bhavani mandap to the sanctum of the temple. The Goddess will be dressed in this mahavastram on the occasion of Dassera on Thursday.
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