Varanasi, September 29 (IANS) Varanasi turns a mini to West Bengal during Navratri, in which the grandeur of Durga Puja pandals draws crowds from across the city. Large and elaborately decorated pandals are the major attractions for devotees and visitors.
The pandal at Sanatan Dharma Inter College is built after the Khatu Shyam Temple, while a mother in Bathua Bazaar resembles Chamundeshwari Devi temple. Inside the pandals, the soldiers painted in the colors of patriotism crossed the statue of Goddess Durga, which adds a unique touch to traditional ceremonies. A Brahmos missile is also displayed prominently in an adjacent pandal, which attracts the audience with its impressive appearance.
In Lahartara, a Pandal stands out completely to the soldiers of the army, which is completely using the tricolor, symbolizes respect for patriotic and armed forces.
One of the pandals, one of the Brahmin missiles, has become a crowd. From Saptami, on the seventh day of Navratri, Maa Durga Pandal is open to see the devotees. During Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami, people from Kashi and nearby areas throw these pandals for prayer, concluding in the immersion of the idol on the tenth day.
Tilak Raj Mishra, president of the Central Pooja Committee, Kashi Region, Uttar Pradesh, said, “Preparations are excellent. It is a VIP area, and the pandals are beautifully decorated. This year, there are 512 pandals across the city.”
Mahapami, celebrated on 29 September this year, symbolizes the beginning of the most important phase of Durga Puja. According to the Hindu calendar, Saptami Tithi begins at 2:27 pm on September 28 and ends on September 29 at 4:31 pm, which falls in the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month.
Saptami is special because this demon marks the beginning of the battle of Mother Durga against King Mahishasura, which symbolizes good victory over evil. This fight ends on Vijaya Dashami. On Saptami, Mother Durga is worshiped in her fierce form, a expression of Kalari, etc. was considered to remove fear, negativity and obstacles from the lives of devotees.
While Durga Puja is celebrated nationwide, Maha Supplami has special cultural significance in eastern India, especially West Bengal, Assam, Odisha and Tripura. The pandals are alive with grand sculptures, decorations and cultural performances. Families gather for traditional feasts, prayers and community relations, while devotees across India chant mantras, and wear auspicious colors for the day.
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JK/Dan