The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The Kumari Puja, one of the most attractive and significant programmes of the Durga Puja, was arranged at Ramakrishna Mission here yesterday drawing hundreds of Hindu devotees.

Marking the occasion, the Hindus arrange the worship of a young girl on Ashtomi day of the Durga Puja treating her as the Ma Durga. This year a six-year girl Rachita was worshiped in front of the idol of Goddess Durga. Sri Ramakrishna says the Divine Mother manifests herself more in a pure-hearted girl and that is why the Kumari Puja is done. Kumari Shakti is the basis of all creations.

Since early in the morning, the devotees started to arrive RK Mission where such Puja is only held here, with their offerings turning the whole mission area completely overcrowded at about 9 am.

In Mahabharata, Arjuna had performed the Kumari Puja. Swami Vivekananda performed Kumari puja for the first time in Belur in 1902 with worship of many young girls from different communities. Now only one Kumari is worshipped.

In the dawn of Ashtami, the Kumari was bathed and clad in a red benarasi saari. She was then adorned with flowers and jewelry, alta was applied to her feet and a 'tilak' of sindur on her forehead. The young Kumari fasts the whole day until the puja is over.

A decorated chair was made to sit Rachita before the goddess and a flower from the Devi's hand was placed in her hand. Flowers, bel (wood apple) leaves, incense sticks, lamps, 'noibiddo' and other things required for puja were placed before her.