Doon residents throng puja pandals on maha ashtami

DEHRADUN: It is that time of the year when colours start to fill the air and the festive mood brings a smile on the faces of everyone. Likewise, maha ashtami which was observed on Sunday saw a number of people thronging the city’s puja pandals where a series of cultural events were organized.
Some of the puja pandals like the Dehradun Durga Bari on Cantt Road celebrated the day by donating an ambulance to a city hospital.
Speaking to TOI, Devashish Chakravarty, president, Dehradun Durga Bari said, “Last year was our diamond jubilee and all of us had taken a pledge to contribute to the society. Ashtami being a maha auspicious day, as part of the diamond jubilee outreach programme, we decided to donate an ambulance to Indresh hospital. Celebration is important but one must try and remember doing some charity as well.”
Meanwhile, at the oldest Puja Samiti at Bengali Library in Karanpur area where celebrations were held for the 94th year, the day began with maha ashtami puja followed by prasad being offered to devotees and sandhya aarti before the cultural programs in the evening.
“Ashtami certainly is a very auspicious day for all of us and especially the sandhi puja held late night. We celebrate the victory of good over evil on this day. I have been coming to attend the festivities here since almost two decades and without a doubt, the Durga puja is an occasion of unbridled joy for all, said Tanushree Chakravarty, Bengali teacher from Welham Girls’ school.
Besides these, the 73rd Durga Puja celebrations were held at the Junior Club Premises, Ordnance Factory Estate, Raipur. General secretary of the club, Tapas Chakraborty said, “The day began with the maha ashtami puja followed by pushpaanjali and bhog during the day. This was followed by sandhi puja at 5:15 pm. Not just Bengalis but people across the state excitedly participated in the celebrations.”