All-faith meet heralds Durga Puja in Shillong

Shillong: Lighting of the ceremonial lamp and collective prayer by representatives of all faiths heralded the Durga Puja festivities in cosmopolitan Shillong, marking the 30th get-together of harmony, organised by the Central Puja Committee of Meghalaya on the Hindu Mission premises at Mawprem locality in the city on Wednesday.“Today, we pray to the Almighty to grace us the capability to maintain honest friendship and trust with each other,” said one organiser after the puja rituals. Pujas in these hills have always been unique in many ways. The festivities are not confined to any particular community or faith, with people from all social backgrounds joining ranks in the cosmopolitan Pine City.A harmonious blend of all-faith prayers, songs, dances, ecstatic beats of traditional ‘dhak’, and exchange of ideas have lifted the spirit of puja festival in the city here.“This is a unique annual event held in Shillong, and perhaps, this kind of environment is not to be found anywhere else,” said a puja committee member. “Shillong has always been a harmonious mix of diverse communities and cultures,” said a student. In fact, the hill state has one of the oldest Durga temples in the country – over 600-year-old Durgabari at Nartiang in the Jaintia Hills – where indigenous people worship the mother goddess.

Durga Puja cultural treats to look forward to for Punekars

Durga Puja celebrations in Pune will feature various cultural events including Baul performance, dance dramas, musical performances, and traditional dances. Some of the highlights include a Baul performance by Krishna Das, a dance drama based on Rabindranath Tagore's work, and performances of Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and Kathak. The festivities will conclude with the traditional Sindoor Khela ceremony.

City old-timers recall Durga Puja musical extravaganzas

Durga Puja in Patna used to be a time of musical extravaganzas and cultural programs during the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Renowned artists such as Ustad Bismillah Khan and Mohammad Rafi would perform, attracting music lovers from all over the state. However, the tradition suffered after the 1975 floods and attempts to revive it have not been successful. Nowadays, cultural events are restricted to closed-door venues, preventing the younger generation from experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of the past.

Nafisa is Kumari for New Town's all-women Durga Puja this Navami

A community Durga Puja in Kolkata has decided to worship a Muslim girl as Goddess Durga during Kumari Puja to promote communal harmony. The eight-year-old girl, Nafisa, has been chosen by the all-women committee of Mrittika Club for their puja. This idea was inspired by Swami Vivekananda's worship of a Muslim girl as Goddess Durga in 1898. The aim is to send a message of unity and brotherhood, breaking away from divisional politics. This initiative follows the recent worship of a Muslim girl as 'kumari' on the occasion of Khuti Puja in north Kolkata.