Durga Puja celebrations on with traditional fervour

Patna, Oct 1 (UNI) Durga Puja is being celebrated across the state here with full traditional fervour as people swarmed the streets of the 'puja' venues to have a glimpse of 'Maa Durga' on 'Mahanavmi' today.

Colourful pandals, bright illuminations and exquisite idols of the goddess Durga were a treat for the eyes of the devotees attired in colourful dresses.

A number of eye-catching pandals with glittering lights of different colours and shapes had been erected in the heart of the state capital, including Dakbunglow crossing, Baily Road, Patna junction area, Baripath, Machhuatolti and Dariapur locality.

Some artists had tried to give 'pandals' and idols a natural look by using paddy, 'rajma' 'garam masala' jute bags and metallic colours to attract puja revellers. But the old temples of Bari Patan Devi and Chhoti Patan Devi would still remain the major attraction of the devotees for offering 'puja' during Navratri.

Badi Patan Devi and Chhoti Patan Devi are two of the 51 'Shaktipeeth' of the country. Badi Patan Devi temple, located near the Gulzarbagh railway station, is one of the ancient temples of the country. According to scriptures, the right thigh of 'Mata Sati' the consort of Lord Shiva, had fallen at this spot.

The Bengali Akhara, one of oldest Puja committees of Patna, was made by local people during the British period where freedom fighters used to get training but after the freedom, the tradition of 'Durga Puja' celebrations started here. The main attraction of the 'Durga Puja' here is 'Maha Arti,' which is performed with great devotion by making 'dhuman' (smokes) constituting shells of coconut on the beat of 'dhak' and drumbeaters called 'dhaki'. 'Dhakis' are specially brought here from Murshidabad in West Bengal.

In an attempt to give a message of changing scenario, the NDA government revived the tradition of music soiree in Patna during 'Durga Puja,' which was missing during the last several years.

Inaugarated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in historic Gandhi Maidan, several national and internationally-acclaimed artists performed during the two-day musical bonanza on the nights of 'Saptami' and 'Ashtami.' Those, who kept the music buffs of Patna spell-bound, included renowned vocalist Padma Bhushan Kishori Amnonkar and dancer Sobhna Narain.

Folk singer Manoj Towari, regaled the music lovers by singing 'Bhojpuri' song and Sharda Sinha another well- known Bhajan singer rocked the music lovers of the state capital with her melodious voice.

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