New Delhi [India], October 19 (ANI): Early Monday morning, devotees flocked to temples and Durga Puja pandals nationwide to pray to Goddess Durga in celebration of Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami, particularly highlighting the religious and cultural importance of the festivities in Guwahati and Cuttack.
At the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, worshippers gathered to seek blessings from Goddess Maa Kamakhya, engaging in various religious activities to honor the occasion.
In another part of Guwahati, the Latasil Durga Puja Committee celebrated its 50th anniversary with a pandal designed to resemble the Kedarnath Temple. The pandal, adorned with colorful lights, attracted many devotees and visitors who came to offer their prayers to Goddess Durga on Maha Ashtami.
The Kedarnath-themed structure has become a prominent aspect of this year’s festivities at Latasil, coinciding with the committee’s golden jubilee celebration. Attendees were seen participating in the festive activities and paying homage to the goddess.
Meanwhile, in Cuttack, Odisha, the Durga Puja festivities continued a rich tradition that has persisted for over 500 years. Renowned for its silver filigree artistry and unique silver tableaux, or Chandi Medhas, the city saw devotees visiting various pandals throughout different neighborhoods.
Cuttack-Barabati MLA Sofia Firdous toured numerous puja pandals, including those located at Chandni Chowk, Haripur, and Khan Nagar. Addressing the media, she highlighted the city’s deep-rooted Durga Puja tradition and its ties to local craftsmanship.
She noted that the Chandi Medhas tradition began in 1990, and Cuttack currently features 38 silver tableaux, each with a distinct design. Firdous emphasized the importance of Goddess Durga as a representation of women’s empowerment, advocating for women’s respect beyond the nine days of Navratri.
Former Cuttack-Barabati MLA and Odisha Janata Congress Party president Mohammed Moquim also visited the pandals, discussing the historical significance of the Dussehra and Durga Puja celebrations in the city.
Durga Puja celebrates Goddess Durga and her triumph over the demon Mahishasura. The Maha Ashtami day is characterized by various prayers and rituals, including Pushpanjali, while Maha Navami features special worship and additional religious observances.
Known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival that honors Goddess Durga and acknowledges her victory over evil. According to Hindu beliefs, the goddess descends to Earth during this time to bless her devotees.
