GAURIPUR, Sept 26 - The 401-year-old Durga Puja of the historic Mahamya temple of Bagribari under the present BTAD area got under way today with all traditional rituals.
Besides Durga Puja, Chandi Puja, Sandhi Puja, Marai Puja and Padma Puja are being held. Eveyday, Goddess Durga will be worshipped by offering of 1,000 bilvapatras on her feet. Hundreds of animals and birds, including goats and buffaloes will be sacrificed.
According to legends, Hatibar Choudhury, the zaminder of the Royal Bagribari Estate started the Durga Puja on the temple premises 401 years ago and since then, the management committee of the temple complex has been performing the Durga Puja without a break.
On Navami Puja, a large number of goats and buffaloes are expected to be sacrificed. As per tradition, the idol of the Goddess is not immersed. A number of invited troupes are scheduled to perform songs based on the stories from Padmapurana. Like in previous years, this year also more than a lakh devotees are expected to take part in the festivities, informs Pradip Bhattacharjya, secretary of the committee.
Durga Puja at Rakhalpat: Rakhalpat, a small village situated along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Dhubri sector under Golakganj Revenue Circle has been celebrating Akalbodhan Durga Puja since 1934.
Amiya Kumar Prodhani, son of zaminder Kailash Chandra Prodhani started the Akalbodhan Durga Puja without the idols of Mahishasur and the siblings of Durga. This exceptional Durga Puja is connected to the tale of Mahiravan, who kidnapped Ram and Lakshman to the nether-world to kill them but he could not do so.
Ram was the founder worshipper of Durga and he worshipped her during the autumn season and consequently, the puja was called Akalbodhan. Accordingly, the devotees in Rakhalpat worship Durga by offering her 108 lotus flowers. Thousand and thousands of devotees of the border area assemble and offer their prayers for peace and harmony.
It is mentionable that this year more than 90 pujas are being celebrated in and around the border areas including villages like Laksmimari, Ratiadaha, Kanuni, Bishowa and Gaikhowa.
