Durga puja festivities commence in hyderabad city

Hyderabad: Durga Puja, the biggest Bengali festival, began amid much gaiety and fanfare on the sixth day (Mahasasti of Navarati) in the city on Friday. Many puja pandals were set up in the city during the festival by the organisers of Bengali puja committee, and the people from different faiths joined the celebrations.

On Friday, in almost all the puja pandals, Kalparambha puja (ritual of the Maha Sasthi) was performed, followed by Pushpanjali (offering flowers to the goddess). Later, Bhog (prasadam) was distributed to the devotees.

Scholars and priests from Kolkata and Hyderabad went through the rituals, kick starting the puja. Dilip Bhattacherjee, executive member of Hyderabad Bangalee Samiti (HBS), said, "HBS is the oldest association in the city. This year marks the 78th year of celebrations. The idol is of Daker Saaj. Every year, we feed over 10,000 people during the puja season."

In Secunderabad, Bangiya Sanskritik Sangha (BSS), on the premises of Keyes High School, has Ambika Mata Temple model of Rajasthan as its theme this year. It is the 54th year of celebrations there. The puja will be accompanied by a slew of cultural programmes, said Saswata Ray, cultural secretary of BSS.

On Ashtami (the eight-day of Navarati), goddess is offered with red and white sarees and khichuri, mix-vegetable curry and five types of fries. There are over 40 stalls that would have various cuisines beginning tomorrow.

In all the four days, flowers are offered to the goddess, and Dhunuchi dance is performed during nights. The celebrations come to an end on Vijayadashami with women in white sarees with red borders bidding farewell to the Mother Goddess by offering her sweets and applying vermilion in the partition of their hair. We are expecting at least 10,000 people every day, said a member.

"Sur o Dhwani Sangha in Kokapet has entered the second year. The people from different communities will get together to celebrate the festival. The puja is performed in the traditional way," said Sujit Bhattacharya, the president of Sur o Dhwani Sangha.

"I don't go to West Bengal during puja, as we get the same essence in the city. The main attraction of the puja is Pushpanjali. We have been celebrating the puja with full devotion at Bengali Sanskritik Sangha in Lothkuntha for the past 30 years," said Papiya, a member of Bengali Sanskritik Sangha.