MUMBAI: Ganeshotsav is yet to begin, but one corner of Powai gives the impression that Navratras are here already. The Powai Bengali Welfare Association (PBWA), which organizes a grand
Durga Puja in this suburb, is hosting the Khuti puja on Sunday morning. This
ritual signals the start of the
idol carving process for Durga Puja, much like the Padya pujan seen before Ganeshotsav.
Spokesman Prateek Bhattacharya says, “Khuti Pujo is the prayer that invokes Goddess Durga to give her divine form to the frame on which her idol is built. This marks the beginning of our ‘kathamo’, the structure on which our protima will find its form. The moortikar and set designer will pray to the Devi and then begin construction work.” PBWA has been observing Khuti puja since four years. This year, it will be held at Hiranandani Gardens.