President greets nation on Durga Puja

New Delhi, Oct 18: President Pratibha Patil has extended her warm wishes to the fellow citizens on the eve of Durga Puja.

In her message, Patil said, “On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I extend my warm wishes to everyone for their success, happiness and prosperity."

“The Durga Puja celebration symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Let this occasion inspire us to dedicate ourselves to all causes that are good and noble and work for the betterment of humanity at large," the President added.

Durga Puja is the most important festival of Bengalis.

Prayers, religious processions and musical programmes mark the festival, which symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

Worshipping the Goddess Durga is the main feature of this festival, which culminates in the Dussehra celebrations.

The idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in the sea, rivers or lakes on the last day. Devotees believe that the Goddess makes her annual visit to the world during this time and the festivities are meant to welcome her.

Durga, worshipped as the Goddess of power, is depicted as riding a raging lion, holding aloft ten weapons of war in her ten hands in these programmes. Her trident is depicted plunging into the side of a monstrous buffalo, out of whose body emerges a demon symbolising evil. (ANI)>