Summary:
KOLKATA: Devotees from all walks of life, dressed in their best attire, headed towards the puja marquees on Thursday as the city celebrated Mahanavami -- the fourth day of Durga Puja. This is the occasion that the puja celebrates.Durga, the slayer of demon Mahishasur, comes astride her mount lion and wields an array of weapons in her 10 hands in symbolic representation of Shakti, or woman power. In many of the traditional households celebrating the festival, 'yagna' (rituals done before the sacred fire) is organised before the morning puja rituals come to an end.Thousands of devotees bond over sumptuous community feasts at marquees. The delicious 'bhog' (community feast of food items offered to the Goddess first) platter includes a varied spread from 'luchis' (deep fried puffed bread) to 'khichuri', vegetable items, to fish and even mutton.Santoshpur Trikone Park marquee, Ekdalia Evergreen, Maddox Square are some of the Pujas that drew mammoth crowds. This year the two puja committees- Sribhumi Sporting Club and the Md Ali Park recreated Chittorgarh fort as seen in the period film 'Padmaavat', were the major crowd puller.On the other hand, long queues could be seen outside the cinema halls and multiplexes as some chose to watch the latest films of their favourite actors.As per Hindu mythology , goddess Durga killed Chando and Mundo -- two 'asuras' or demons at the confluence (sandhi) of the two days..