As part of a rare tradition, Devi Durga arrived at her ‘father’s home’ in Durgapur on the day of Rath Yatra today, Thursday, almost three months ahead of Mahalaya.
This early invocation, since 55 years has become the hallmark of the Sarbomangala Durga temple at the Viswakarma Nagar, ~ the residential colony of a closed CPSU ~ Mining & Allied Machinery Corporation here.
Following age-old rituals, residents ushered the idol on Thursday with dhak beats, conch shells. Women performed the ceremonial welcoming while men danced in celebration. The idol, crafted in Durgapur Station Bazaar, was adorned with flower garlands, saree and floral jewellery before being installed in the temple.
According to locals, this community puja begins right from Rath Yatra. The ‘pata pujo’ is held on the day of Akshaya Tritiya to start idol-making. Daily worship begins from that day and continues till the main festival days.
“The puja here has been held like this for 55 years. We follow the same tradition each year. From today, daily prayers will be held. People join the worship every morning and evening. With deep faith and devotion, holy Mother fulfils everyone’s wishes,” said local resident and puja committee executive Satyabrata Das.
For residents, the celebrations begin from today. “The four days of Puja are fun, but our joy starts from today. There is daily worship in the morning. So, our Durga Puja has starts three months early,” said homemakers Banashree Bhattacharya and Barnali Mondal, who take the responsibility of daily puja arrangements.
The temple follows ancient scriptural rituals, but, instead of meat, the sacrifice of Bengali sweet Sandesh is offered at the juncture of Ashtami and Maha Navami, the organisers said.