Daughter of the mountain arrives in Abode of Clouds

Shillong: Durga, revered as the daughter of the mountain and also known as Parvati, has made her grand arrival in the lush, undulating hills of the ‘Abode of Clouds.’ The region is abuzz with festivities as the goddess is welcomed home in all her splendour.
Meghalaya is home to one of the oldest Durga temples in the country – the 600-year-old Durgabari at Nartiang in the Jaintia Hills – where the goddess is worshipped by the indigenous tribal people.
The pujas in the hills have a distinct and unique aura. “Unlike in the plains, where pomp and opulence are the norm, the Pujas here are more homely,” said a native of Kolkata who visits the hill town during the pujas.
General secretary of the Central Puja Committee (CPC), JL Das, said, “Every Puja pandal, including those with small budgets, competes to win prizes in various categories, especially decoration, illumination, cleanliness, and hospitality.”
The famous Sri Sri Rajasthani Durga Puja, Jail Road, Harisava, Laban, Umpling (Rynjah), Survey of India, and PWD Puja committees at Barik, along with several other localities in the city, have erected Puja pandals on different themes.
An essential part of the pujas in the state is the mandatory distribution of ‘Kichudi’ (cooked rice and lentils) by almost all community Puja committees on all three days of the pujas.
The pujas are marked by cultural functions, with every community pandal setting up a stage for budding performers of the locality to showcase their talents in drama, songs, music, and dances, both traditional and western.
Various eateries selling mouth-watering dishes crop up in the vicinity of every Puja pandal.
A grand drum-beating contest involving traditional dhakis from all Puja committees reverberates through the hills during the pujas.
Meanwhile, idols of the Mother Goddess and her entourage have been ceremoniously installed in all Puja pandals throughout the state on the occasion of Maha Sashti on Wednesday.
Shillong is alive with the haunting beats of the traditional ‘dhak’ (drum), rendering the air festive. Almost all hotels and guest houses have been booked by Puja revellers from the plains.