Merriments and religiosity were on their peaks in the State on Tuesday as residents across the State began paying visits to hundreds of beautifully decorated Durga Puja pandals opened on Tuesday for devotees.
On the sixth day of the lunar calendar — Shashthi, Pandals opened their gates to welcome thousands of devotees across the State. The devotees in large numbers started darshan and worship of Maa Durga with a tinge of festivity in the air.
In the Capital city — considered to be the most preferred destination of the Benagli community — the mass started visiting Puja Pandals from the forenoon anticipating huge rush in the evening. The crowd though turned out to be fairly large in the pandals by evening.
In the city Ranchi itself there are dozens of small and big puja pandals set up by puja organising committees in almost every nook and corner. And, the pandals are generally surrounded by revelers enjoying street food and other merriments that gives an impression of a huge fair across the city.
Marking the beginning of the festival Governor Dr Syed Ahmed and political leaders including CM Hemant Soren, Ministers, MlAs and Opposition leaders inaugurated several Puja Pandals in the city.
Dozens of puja pandals were also inaugurated in Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Hazaribagh and other towns by eminent personalities.
Holidays in Government offices, banks and other private organisations would begin from October2 but the festive fever has already gripped the city.
The idols of the deity would be worshipped till Vijayadashmi and will be immersed in water bodies on Friday marking the end of the festival.
The effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnad will also be burnt to mark triumph of truth over evil on Friday.