Durga Puja Festival in Jorhat

JORHAT, Sept 25: With the start of the Durga Puja festivities today, people bedecked in their best finery are thronging the puja pandals to catch a glimpse of Goddess Durga and participate in the morning and evening aratis. The crowds were particularly thick at the more than 200-year old Burhi Goxani Dewal as devotees sought the blessing of the Goddess. The Burhi Goxani Dewal is the only dewal here which offers animal sacrifices to the Goddess. It is estimated that every year more than 200 goats and pigeons are sacrificed every year. THE SENTINEL