Traditional gaiety marks Mahaashtami
Statesman News Service KOLKATA Oct. 7: Mahaashtami morning began with thousands of devotees chanting Sanskrit hymns and preparing to offer pushpanjali to the goddess. Even men, women and children, who do not participate in the puja rituals everyday, kept gathering at the pandals, to offer their prayers on this day. Contrary to what the Met department had predicted, pandal hoppers were pleased to find the bright sun above. Enthusiasts lined up infront the puja pandals, like every other Puja day. The day saw men and women dress up in traditional attires, adding colour and keeping up the convention. While on Saptami, the pandals recorded a much higher footfall compared to Sashti, Ashtami saw the crowd at its thickest. However, traffic flow on the city streets was mostly smooth except for a few roads, namely SP Mukherjee Road, Rashbehari Avenue and Hazra Road in South Kolkata. Moreover traffic guards and policemen posted at important thoroughfares had a tough time managing the ever-increasing crowd. Meanwhile, the popular tradition of observing a Kumari Puja at Belur Math in Howrah, was observed with much grandeur this morning. A girl less than 16 years of age (a kumari), considered to be the most dynamic form of the goddess is worshipped in front of Durga. Sandhipuja which marks the end of Mahasthami and beginning of Mahanavami offered a marvellous sight as the priests conducted arati with 108 lamps and lotus flowers. It is observed between the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami. Vegetarian khichuri bhog was served at various traditional bari pujas and community pujas. After a hearty meal, puja revellers thronged the renowned puja pandals in both south and north Kolkata which Mudiali, Barisha Yuvak Brinda, Ajeya Sanhati, Badamtala Ashar Sangho, Suruchi Sangha, Chaltabagan Lohapotti, Hatibagan Sarbojanin, Kumartuli Park, Kashi Bose Lane, Nalini Sarkar Street, Telengabagan, Karbagan, Netaji Sporting Club and many more. Meanwhile, the winners of MP Birla Foundation Puja Utkarsh Samman 2008 was announced today. Baghbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsab Committee in North Kolkata won the award for the best idol. The awards for the best pandal and the best ambience went to Behala Nutan Dal and Babubagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee respectively.
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