NALBARI, Oct 11 - Durga puja, was celebrated in Nalbari district with great enthusiasm due to the pleasant weather condition. Over 100 community puja pandals of the district including the three devalayas � Bilbeswar Devalaya of Belsor, Sri Sri Kali Devalaya of Balilecha and Bagheswari Devalaya of Adabari wore a festive look during the five-day Durga Puja. The community Durga Puja of Sri Sri Harimandir, Gopalbazar, College Chowk, Bijulighat,Tihu, Mukalmua, Ghograpar, Barnardi, Ulabari drew huge crowds on the Saptami, Ashtami and Navami pujas. The spectacle of lights and modernisation of the devi idols attracted the visitors to all community puja pandals equally.
On the Navami puja, thousands of devotees thronged the historic Bilbeswar Devalaya of Belsor to offer prayers to Goddess Durga. The flow of visitors from various parts of the State started to the devalaya since morning. Despite the opposition of several nature-loving organisations, 32 buffaloes were sacrificed at the devalaya and 13 buffaloes were released after worship before the Devi. One buffalo was also sacrificed at the Ulabari community Durga puja under Barbhag revenue circle. Thousands of goats, ducks and pigeons were also sacrificed at different puja pandals on the Ashtami and Navami pujas.
On the otherhand, Kumari puja was performed at Barkshetri Navaratri Durga Mandir of Adattari near Mukalmua with the participation of huge crowds on the Navami puja on Monday. The Adattari Durga Puja this time celebrated its golden jubilee. On the Kumari puja, nine minor girls below the age of nine are worshipped as the nine forms of Devi Durga Sailyaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandaghanta, Kusmanda, Scondamata, Katyani, Kalratri, Mahagaur and Sidhidatri. The people thronged the Adattari Durga puja and donated dresses, ornaments and fruits to the human goddesses to get the desired results. Visitors from various parts of the State thronged the tiny village to witness Kumari Puja.
The 516-year-old Durga puja of Barnardi village in the district which started during the Ahom era, drew huge crowds on the Saptami, Ashtami and Navami puja. The oldest puja of Barnardi has no tradition of animal sacrifice, though once human sacrifice was done here.
