Durga Puja was celebrated here on Sunday. Durgashtami celebrations constitute an important element during the 10-day Dasara in Mysuru, and devotees flock to Chamundeshwari temple on the occasion.
The entire festival is centred around the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga. The goddess is worshipped in her myriad forms, one of it being Chamundeshwari in this part of the country. In essence, the celebration signifies the victory of good over evil, and is celebrated in different ways.
Members of the Bengali community celebrate Durga Puja in the typical eastern Indian style, complete with giant idols of the goddess astride a lion slaying the demon. There are nearly 600 Bengali families in Mysuru and Durga Puja is being celebrated under the auspices of Bengali Association at Anjaneyaswami Temple choultry behind CFTRI, and by members of the Bangiya Samiti at Leela Channaiah Kalyana Mantapa on Valmiki Road.
The nearly 10-foot idol of Dashabhuja Durga at the choultry draws the attention of the devotees and visitors.
Flanked by idols of other Hindu gods, including Ganesha and Lakshmi, Durga is depicted in her ferocious form and there are special rituals and prayers throughout the day. N.C. Bhowmik, member of the Bengali Association, said the daily rituals are followed by cultural programmes in the evening. Durgashtami on Sunday was the most important day of the festival, which commenced on Saturday with Sasthi puja and spans four days.
The idols were prepared in Mysuru by Biswajit Pal, an artisan from Kolkata, and is made of clay and will be immersed in the Cauvery at Gosai Ghat, Srirangapatana on Vijayadashmi which is on Tuesday.
