Exorcists offer prayers in a crematorium during Navratri festival in West Bengal

Tarapeeth (West Bengal), Sep 24(ANI): Devotees and 'tantriks' (exorcists) offered prayers at a crematorium at Tarapeeth in West Bengal during the ongoing nine-day Navratri festival dedicated to the Goddess Durga.

Tantriks performed prayers and recited verses seeking 'Masan Sidhi' (divine powers), and said that praying at a crematorium is a different experience compared to praying at a temple.

"In this place people have been cremated. It is their 'samadhi'. It is completely different from a temple. There is lot of difference between the two. The 'sidhi' (ritual to seek divine powers) is highest of all," said Mahesh Ojha, an exorcist.

According to traditional lore, on the fourth day of Navratri, Kharbhushan (a demon) was killed, while Goddess Kali manifests herself on the same day.

On the fourth, fifth and sixth days, Goddess Kali walks ahead as the symbol of divine power.

Hindus believe that the Goddess Durga descends on earth during Navratri to rid it of demons and to bless her devotees.

Navratri stands for the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga. (ANI)