Devotees gathered at temples and Durga Puja pandals across the country on Monday morning to offer prayers to Goddess Durga on the occasion of Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami. Celebrations in Guwahati and Cuttack highlighted the religious and cultural importance of the festival. At the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, people arrived to offer prayers to Goddess Maa Kamakhya and seek the blessings of the deity. In another part of Guwahati, the Latasil Durga Puja Committee marked its 50th year with a pandal inspired by the Kedarnath Temple. Decorated with colorful lights, the pandal drew many visitors on Maha Ashtami.
In Cuttack, Odisha,
Durga Puja celebrations continued a tradition dating back more than 500 years. The city, known for its silver filigree work and silver tableaux or Chandi Medhas, saw residents visiting pandals across different areas. Cuttack-Barabati MLA Sofia Firdous visited several puja pandals, including those at Chandni Chowk, Haripur, and Khan Nagar. She noted that the tradition of Chandi Medhas began in 1990 and Cuttack now has 38 silver tableaux. Former MLA Mohammed Moquim also visited the pandals and highlighted the historical importance of the city celebrations. Durga Puja honours Goddess Durga and marks her victory over the demon Mahishasura. Maha Ashtami includes rituals like Pushpanjali, while Maha Navami involves special worship.
