Devotees were seen thronging the temples and Durga Puja pandals in Dehradun on the occasion of Maha Navami on Monday, the final day of Navratri, marked by ceremonial worship of the goddess Durga. The city continuing to wear a festive look, Ramlila along with folk dances are also being held at several places.
The Maha Navami Puja was celebrated at various temples and community puja pandals with gaiety and fervour with involvement of thousands of people on Monday. The devotees gathered in considerable number at the pujas being held at Bengali library at Karanpur, Durga Bari on Cantt Road, Hathibarkala, Sahastradhara and Raipur to offer Anjali and take Bhog.
Kumari Puja - the tradition of worshipping a virgin girl as an incarnation of the mother Durga as conceived by Swami Vivekananda in Belur Math near Calcutta, was held at many places. Devotees took blessings from the girls. Aarti also was held in the morning and the evening with the presence of thousands.
Anuradha, one of the devotees found offering puja at Raipur, said that things were electrifying on the final day of the puja. “However, gloom is hanging over us as the puja is drawing to an end with the immersion slated on Wednesday. Nine girls were picked up for the auspicious Kumari Puja. We took Bhog after the Kumari Puja was over. It comprised Black Gram, Jao, Puri, Halwa and Jaggery,” she added.
Geetanjali, another devotee, said that the custom of worshiping girls as forms of the Goddesses as conceived by Swami Vivekananda thrilled them. “We believe that the celebrated monk conceived the concept to end the atrocities and discrimination inflicted on the girls. Besides, it evokes a special kind of devotion when the girls a little over my age are deified as the forms of the Goddess that embodies the triumph of good over evil. We hope that the spirit of the Kumari Puja would provide the girls with the courage to slay the evil of the society as much ruthlessly as the Maa Durga slays the evil incarnate Mahisasura,” she said.
At Raipur Durga Puja, nearly 5,000 people gathered to collect Prasad on Monday. After the Bhog, a Yagya was also performed. In the evening, Dhunuchi dance and Aarti were held in the presence of thousands of devotees.
Aside from cultural activities held in the evening, a souvenir was also released by the Puja Committee to mark the occasion, said puja committee president SK Ukil.