Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodtsava was celebrated from October 20 to October 24.
Durga Puja celebrations at AGV-1 were organised by the AGV Sarbojonin Puja Committee. The event lasted for four days and the entire arrangement was done inside the clubhouse of the society. A beautiful puja pandal was set up wherein idols of Goddess Durga along with her four children Lord Ganesh, Lord Kartik, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati were installed.
The puja festivities started with Shasti, which is the practice of observing fast by mothers for the well-being of their children. In the evening Bodhon and Boron of Maa Durga was conducted by the ladies group.
A three day cultural event from October 21 to October 23 was organised by the puja committee. Performances consisting of ladies group song, children’s group dance, solo dance, casio, guitar etc. were given by the children and ladies of the society. The cultural programmes took place in the amphitheatre of the society and received an overwhelming response. The participating children were given certificates and refreshments.
On the day of Saptami, Kala Bou Snan was conducted, which is the ritual of bathing a saree clad banana tree. After that all the devotees joined the puja to seek blessing of Maa Durga. Prasad was distributed to all the devotees and a bhandara was also conducted every day.
On Ashtami, Pushpanjali was conducted and prasad was distributed among the residents. On the intervening night of Ashtami and Navami a special Sandhi Puja was performed. It was an auspicious and divine moment and the devotees felt blessed to be a part of entire ritual.
On the day of Navami, after the puja and pushpanjali, a very special event known as Kumari Puja was conducted in front of the idol of Goddess Durga. A little girl Aashriya was dressed up like Maa Durga and worshipped as the Goddess. The devotees sought blessings from the little girl and gave her gifts. Residents also enjoyed prasad and bhandara simultaneously.
On Dussehra or Bijoya Dashami, the last day of this festival, Boron and the famous Sindur Khela took place. Sweets were distributed among the residents and the very famous Dhunuchi dance was performed by ladies group. Everyone cheered for the next year by saying “ashche bochor aabar hobe”.
Then with a heavy heart everyone started getting ready for the immersion. All the idols of the deities were kept on a truck that took a round of the entire society . Everyone joined with folded hands to bid adieu to Maa Durga.
The whole event was very successful and was possible only with the support of the residents and volunteers of the Durga Puja Committee who faced many challenges throughout the event. Alas the celebrations concluded with the hope that the blessings of Maa Durga will stay with us and such festivities shall be organised next year also.
