GAURIPUR, Sept 21 - The 419-year-old Royal Durga puja of the erstwhile Zamindary Estate of Gauripur is scheduled to be held from September 29 on the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya. Brisk preparations are on and the temple located in the eastern part of the historic Mahamaya playground is being decorated.
It is customary that the Astadhatu idol of Goddess Mahamaya will be brought to the temple situated on the eastern part in a chariot and will be installed on the altar and regular puja rituals will start on the eve of Mahalaya.
Hundreds of devotees are expected to take part on the Ashtami, Navami and Dasami puja where a number of goats will be sacrificed.
It is also customary that idol of Goddess Mahamaya made of shola-craft will be separately installed and puja rituals will begin accordingly.
The idol of Goddess Mahamaya will be immersed on the meeting place of the rivers Gadadhar and the Brahmaputra and thereafter the �Ranachandi� and the �Kaman� puja will be performed in front of the Royal palace at Matiabagh area of Gauripur.
Karen Malakar, a State awardee artisan has already completed making the idol of Goddess Durga made of shola-craft which is customary since the period of the puja�s inception.
