GUWAHATI, Oct 22 � The Maha Ashtami day saw the Durga Puja celebrations rise to a crescendo this evening, drawing people to the illuminated puja mandaps in their thousands.
While dazzling illuminations and stunning decorations symbolized best the festive spirit, the exquisitely-crafted idols of Goddess Durga added to the aesthetic appeal. The traditional flavour found its best expression in the reverberations of the dhak and the chanting of hymns � creating the wholesome puja ambience.
The crowd was a blend of the devout and the reveller, attired in their colourful best and descending on the streets with gusto and making a beeline for the venues from early evening till late into the night.
Designing, decoration and illumination of idols of Goddess Durga, the mandaps, and the approach roads to the puja venues shone with the imprint of the ingenuity of the makers. Equally compelling were the themes depicted through thoughtful illumination and d�cor that ranged from mythical fables to the idyllic rural life to the civic woes plaguing the city. The tragic spurt in rhino poaching in Kaziranga National Park also came alive as did the struggle against corruption by Gandhian Anna Hazare.
All the puja venues witnessed large participation of the devotees in the morning hours as the people assembled to pay obeisance to the Goddess. Some of the most visited puja mandaps were Latasil, Beltola, Silpukhuri, Chandmari, Kumarpara, Bharalumukh, Binapani, Nayantara, Ganeshguri, Tarun Nagar, etc.
Even the agonizing traffic snarls failed to be a dampener on the festive mood. Maha Ashtami is invariably associated with bumper-to-bumper traffic and areas like Beltola, Ganeshguri, Latasil, Chandmari, Athgaon, Maligaon, Pandu, etc., were the worst affected.
The occasion also drew huge numbers of people into the restaurants, dhabas and roadside eateries. No less sought after were the temporary eateries that invariably mushroom during such festive occasions. Juicy jelebis � part and parcel of Durga Puja festivities � sold like hot cakes, with the vendors enduring a tough time in meeting the burgeoning demand.
Various puja organizers continued with their cultural shows in the evening, featuring wide-ranging items from nam-kirtan and arati to singing and dance competitions. Competitions among schoolchildren were also held.
