Mahalaya ushers homecoming, city drums up for 'Navratri'

BHOPAL: City is all geared up for Durga Puja. On Friday, 'Chandipath' and 'Durga Aavahan', held to the accompaniment of blowing of conches and other musical instruments, marked 'Mahalaya' to welcome the goddess, with the main event being held at TT Nagar Kalibari. The day also witnessed culmination of 'Pitra paksh' with 'Pitra visarjan'. Religious fervour gripped the state capital on Friday, as hundreds of members from different puja committees converged at Habibganj Kalibari to take idols to their respective pandals not only in Bhopal but also places like Vidisha, Bairagarh, Beawara and Hoshangabad besides many more.
The deities, along with her children and demon Mahishasur, were lifted onto tractors, trucks and trolleys with the help of cranes.
Dipak Sinha from TT Nagar Kalibari said, "Friday was start of festive season with traditional pujas and havan being performed to welcome the goddess whom we will offers prayers. Inviting the goddess is akin to making a fresh start, as 'Devi Paksh' will start from Saturday."
He also said, "According to tradition, Bengalis draw eyes of goddess Durga's idol, which is known as 'Netra Daan'. This tradition is performed in houses a day before 'Navratri'." Bhopalis are still preparing for 'Navratri'. New Market business council is going to celebrate its 51st 'Navratri' festival. It has chosen 'Prem Mandir' theme of Vrindavan, where colour of temple will change after every 10 seconds. Council vice-president Pradeep Gupta said, "The 33-foot-wide and 14-foot-high idol has been brought to the pandal from Habibganj Kalibari." "Our pandal is eco-friendly, as we have not used wood in it. Rather, we have constructed it with iron rods," he said.