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Image Source : UGC - User generated content/ Puja Samit
People in the country are filled with enthusiasm as they celebrate the nine-day long Navratri festival. From today (22nd October), celebrations for Durga Puja have begun in many parts of the country.
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Image Source : UGC - User generated content/ Puja Samit
During this 5 day Durga Puja festival, Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati, Lord Ganesha and Karthikeya are worshiped along with Maa Durga. Where on the first day the idol of the Goddess is installed with the ritual, on the fifth day, the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed in water.
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Image Source : UGC - User generated content/ Puja Samit
Going by the legends, Duga Puja is celebrated as the victory of good over evil. The festival is celebrated as Maa Durga defeated demon god Asura. In times of the COVID19 pandemic, evil has attained a new face -- coronavirus.
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Image Source : UGC - User generated content/ Puja Samit
Due to coronavirus pandemic, while many puja pandals have decoded to give it a pass this year adding to the misery of the idol makers, many have installed pandals on a smaller scale.
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Image Source : UGC - User generated content/ Puja Samit
With unlock 5, temples have opened with strict norms for COVID19 but the festivities have not stopped. People who are unable to visit the temples have build a replica at their homes.
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Image Source : UGC - User generated content/ Puja Samit
During these nine auspicious days of Navratri, devotees observe fast, wake up early, worship the nine-avatars, offer prayers, bhog, and prasad.
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Image Source : UGC - User generated content/ Puja Samit
After observing fast and worshipping Maa Durga for nine days, on the Dashami date of Sharadiya Navaratri people celebrate Dussehra. It will start from 07.41 am on October 25, till 9 am on October 26.
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Image Source : UGC - User generated content/ Puja Samit
Women also indulge in "sindoor khela," a celebration wherein women apply sindoor or vermillion to each other. This signifies wishing a happy married life.
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Image Source : UGC - User generated content/ Puja Samit
If Durga Puja is a time for prayers and reverence, it's no less a time for celebration - for catching all the action in the city, and of course enjoying delicious food.
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Image Source : UGC - User generated content/ Puja Samit
While celebrations this year are low-key because of the COVID19 outbreak, social distancing, wearing masks, gloves and proper sanitisation is the need of the hour. (Disclaimer- Images as received on WhatsApp)
Image Source : UGC - User generated content/ Puja Samit