Aikatan Durgotsab Committee hold Kanya Pujan on Ninth Day Of Navratri 

Pune : The Aikatan Durgotsab Committee celebrated Durga Puja at the Mahatma Phule Auditorium in Wanowrie. 

The celebration began from 19 October that is the sixth day of Navaratri, with a lot of pomp and glory. 

The Executive President Anindya Roy and other committee members made sure all arrangements were done with finesse . There were food arrangements made for the devotees and feet tapping music in the evening for all to enjoy .

Amrita Sengupta told Pune Pulse, “The 8th and 9 th day of Navaratri that is Ashtami and Navami is considered to be the most auspicious day. On this day , it is believed that Ma Durga resides amongst small girls and this they are worshipped. This ritual is a way to show gratitude to the Supreme Goddess. People worship Brahmacharini, Andraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalarati, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri, who represent the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga. Kanya Puja as a part of Devi worship is to recognise the feminine power vested in the girl child. The girl should be of young age. There is also a ritual purification and chanting of mantras. She is made to sit on a special pedestal.” 

The Aikatan Durgotsav Committee also worshipped small girls. While one girl was worshipped religiously on the pedestal the other children were seated. 

The Committee Executive member Anindya Roy made offerings in the form of clothes , jewellery and food items to all these children at the onset of Navaratri. 

The other ladies welcomed the young girls for Kanya Pujan is the most beautiful way of honoring and worshipping Maa Durga in the form of young girls. 

This is the day that brings excitement and cheer to one’s household. And it is believed that Durga Maa brings positivity and provides protection. Similarly, the young girl was worshipped with mantras and it was believed that the divine deity resided in her at that moment.

This auspicious moment was then followed by offering bhog Prasad to all the devotees . As Navaratri 2023 ends, the committee gears up for the next day when the teary eyed Bengalis bid farewell to Maa Durga with an elaborate ritual of Sindoor khela and await the arrival of Durga until next year.