Dassera celebrated with fervour across Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 2 (UNI) Dassera was celebrated with religious fervour and traditional enthusiasm across the metropolis today.

Devotees performed special ''poojas'' in temples. People offered worship to their vehicles, tools of trade, machinery and books on the occasion.

As per the tradition in the state, people greeted their friends by exchanging leaves of the ''Apta'' tree. The leaves are exchanged as gold.

''Pooja'' was performed at several ''pandals'' across the state where the idol of Maa Durga had been installed on the ''Ghatasthapana Divas (first day of Navratri)''.

Devotees thronged the Mahalaxmi and other temples in the metropolis where special arrangements had been made to ensure that convenience of the people.

Police, too, had made elaborate security arrangements in the wake of the July 11 serial train blasts. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also made special arrangements at Girgaon, Dadar Chowpatty and other areas for immersion of Durga idols later in the evening.

UNI ST MAZ AK VC1528