August 19, 2026 08:49 am (IST)
Follow us:
Festive fever reaches peak on Maha Ashtami-Maha Navami
Kolkata, Oct 2 (IBNS): The festive spirit in Kolkata reached its peak on Thursday as the Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami celebrations of the Durga Puja commenced on the same day.
The day began amid the pious 'pushpanjali' (prayers with flowers), where thousands of devotees offer their prayers to the Goddess in empty stomach at various marquees (puja pandal) across the state.
Devotees clad in traditional attires assembled at the 'pandals' to offer their 'pushpanjali' to the goddess.
According to old beliefs, all prayers are answered by the Goddess on this day.
The ritual of 'pushpanjali' was followed by an aarti with five-lamps, incense sticks, flowers and other puja items.
The pushpanjali this year was soon followed by the 'Sandhi' puja.
But it is not only the 'pushpanjali' that make Maha Ashtami all the more special; rather it is the custom of 'Kumari Puja' which is the real point of attraction on this day.
During the 'Kumari Puja', pre-pubescent girls are worshipped as incarnation of Goddess Durga.
It is considered that the ritual is performed to appease the Goddess who controls shristi, shthiti and vinash (creation, stability and destruction) of the universe.
The festive mood was, however, dampened a little on Thursday with the merging of Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami.
Maha Navami also commenced on Thursday with a special 'yajna' (ritual) amid chanting of 'mantras' (hymns) .
The Nabopotrika was worshiped along with Noibiddo and flowers.
Special Navami aarti was also performed to worship the deity.
The day gains a special attraction as people will make it a point to enjoy the occasions fully.
People decked in new clothes will have an early start on Thursday hopping from one 'pandal' to the other, offering their prayers to the Goddess in her various forms as have been shaped by various creators.
With just one day left in the greatest annual celebrations of the Bengalis, Kolkata is all set for a crowded and busy evening amid all glamour and glitterati.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
AWEsome entrepreneurs
Thu, Aug 26 2021
Looking anew at urban planning
Wed, Jul 21 2021
Green living with bamboo
Thu, Jul 01 2021
Married and dating
Mon, Jun 14 2021
The sweet taste of environment-friendly chocolates
Wed, Apr 21 2021
Wildlife Rescue: A Kashmir woman breaks stereotypes
Tue, Mar 09 2021
The Red Planet beckons
Mon, Feb 22 2021
Hobbies to the rescue
Sat, Feb 20 2021