Maha Shashti Puja was celebrated on Monday by the people of Bengali community at the community pujas being held across the city. Temples have been decorated with flowers and brightly illuminated.
During the Durga Puja festivities, Sandhi Puja is important. This signifies the moment when Mahishasur, the demon king, is believed to have been slain by the Goddess.
Cultural activities from musical soiree to playing of drams and performance of classical and other forms of dances are on and they are drawing huge footfalls from across the ethno-communal spectrum, said Tapas Chakraborty, a functionary of the puja committee based in Raipur.
“Festivity brings us all together, friends and relatives whom we cannot meet often. This is why the puja means happiness of reunion. We pray for the well-being of all together,” said Stuti a student.
Arnav, found near Bengali library where the oldest community puja of the city is being held, said the youngsters, both boys and girls, would perform plays and dances in the evening of each of the festive days. “This helps us to reconnect with our cultural roots as we have been staying away from Bengal,” he added.