Barak valley gears up for Durga puja

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR, Oct 17:  With the Barak Valley gearing up for six days of Durga pujas from tomorrow, district administration has put in place elaborate foolproof arrangements from Panchami to Dashami. In this context, district administration has also drawn up specific traffic regulations all across the district which will be effective from Panchami. On the eve of the holy festival, the idols of the Goddess are being taken to the pandals. Almost all the works of the pandals have been completed and the pending works are going on in war footing.

 Durga puja is widely celebrated all over the country including the states of Assam, other northeastern states where it is a five-day annual holiday. In barak Valley which has a majority of Bengali Hindus, it is the biggest festival of the year. Not only is it the biggest Hindu festival celebrated throughout the state, it is also the most significant socio-cultural event in Bengali Hindu society. The Durga puja has been celebrated since the medieval period, and has evolved and adapted with the passage of time.

 A considerable literature exists Goddess Durga in the Bengali language and its early forms, including avnirya, Durgabhaktitarangini by Vidyapati, a famous Maithili poet of the 14th century. In Silchar more than 350 exhibits, known as pandals, decorated with lights, sculptures and other art have been created this year. Nowadays, the puja is mostly a community festival celebrated in all the towns and villages of Barak Valley along with the rest of the state amidst great festivity and religious fervour. The Durga puja started in the valley during the rule of Dimasa king Suradarpa rayan.

 As per Hindu traditions, Skanda Mata is worshipped on the fifth day of vratri. Skanda mata idol depicts four arms and rides a lion. She is also seen carrying a lotus, water material and a bell. She possesses four arms out of which two often hold the lotus flowers. Skandamata, the fourth avatar of Maa Durga, has been known for demolishing the demons. Goddess Skandmata symbolizes the relationship between a mother and her son. Her worship automatically includes the worship of Lord Kartikeya who is on her lap. On the fifth day of vratri there is no better way to find moksha from this world.