Durgapuja being celebrated with traditionl grandeur in Bihar

Patna, Oct 20 (UNI) Durgapuja, the festival to mark the victory of truth and justice over evil forces, is being celebrated throughout the state with traditional grandeur and devotion, as people cutting across the age barrier, offered their obeisance to ''Ma Durga'' on the occasion of Mahanavami today.

Attired in traditional and colourful clads, devotees chanting stutis, thronged the puja pandals and various temples in Patna and other parts of the state since early morning and offered their obesiance to Goddess Durga, on the occasion of Mahanavmi. Several devotees had observed 'Mahanavrarti' during this auspicious period and performed 'Havan', marking the end of their special pujas on the occasion.

Some of the 'puja pandals' are replicas of famous temples of the country as one such is Nagpanch Temple of Tripura, erected at Dakbunglow road in state capital.'' Bamboos and canes specially brought from Tripura, have been liberally used in making 90 feet high replica of a temple'', said Sanjeev Prasad Toni, the president of Navyuvak Durga Puja Committee. In Hanuman Nagar locality of the state capital, Indian Society Club made 80 feet high and 35 feet wide replica of Tarapith Mandir, Munger.The Puja committee at Domanbhagat Lane in Kadamkuan had erected the replicas of Jaipur's Hawa Mahal and Hyderabad's Charminar together.

Devotees are also paying their obesiances at Chhoti Patan Devi and Badi Patan Devi temples here--also known as 'Siddha Shaktipeeths'.It is believed that Goddess Parvati's right thigh had fallen here when Lord Shiva was taking her body to Kailash, after she jumped in the 'Havan' at Yajna organised by her mother.The Devi took this extreme step to protest the insult of her husband at the hands of her father.

At Begali Akhara, the Durgapuja has been traditionally organising for the last 115 years.Started in 1872, puja rituals are performed with Begali tradition in which Dhak and Dhunchi is used, said Amit Kumar Sinha, secretary of Surodyan Puja Committee popularly known as Bengali Akhara.

Meanwhile, state police headquarter sources said all district police superintendents had been directed to ensure fool proof security arrangements during the puja festival.Special security arrangements had been made at puja pandals located in sensitive areas,the sources added.

Bihar Governor R S Gavai and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Durgapuja and wished them prosperous and happy life.In their messages, both Mr Gavai and Mr Kumar called upon the people to maintain communal harmony and brotherhood, while striving to make Bihar a developed state.

UNI