Kolkata, 17 October (H.S.) : The religious traditions of Maha Saptami commenced with immense devotion and fervor across West Bengal on Saturday, marking a crucial phase of the ongoing Durga Puja festival. Since early morning, massive crowds of devotees flocked to the banks of the Ganga, Hooghly, and Mahananda rivers across the state, including in Kolkata, Nadia, Siliguri, and Birbhum. The formal initiation of Goddess Durga's 'Pran Pratishtha' (consecration) rituals began with the 'Kola Bou Snan', widely known as the 'Nabapatrika Snan', on the auspicious occasion of Maha Saptami.

In the capital city of Kolkata, priests and puja organizers gathered at various ghats along the Ganga to bathe the Nabapatrika in the holy waters, strictly adhering to traditional rituals. Subsequently, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of 'dhaak' (traditional drums) and the blowing of conch shells, vibrant processions were taken out to install the deity in the grand puja pandals. The Nabapatrika, a bundle comprising nine different plants including a banana sapling, symbolizes the various manifestations of Navadurga and represents the fertility of nature. Driven by the festive preparations, the metropolis's wholesale flower markets also witnessed an overwhelming rush of buyers throughout the day.

The festive fervor has reached its absolute peak across rural and urban landscapes, spanning from North to South Bengal. In Siliguri, a large number of devotees concluded the Nabapatrika Snan on the banks of the Mahananda river, while in Birbhum district's Hatserandi village, locals dressed in traditional attire organized majestic processions dancing to the beats of the dhaakis. Similarly, in Nadia district, devotees maintained a steady stream at the ghats of the Hooghly river since dawn. With the successful completion of the holy bathing and consecration rituals, the formal viewing and worship of Goddess Durga have officially commenced across the state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh