Residents offer prayers to goddess on Durga Ashtami

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 30

Durga Ashtami was celebrated with religious fervour in the city on Tuesday. Devotees performed puja of Goddess Durga at their homes in the form of ‘kanjak pujan’ and prasad and other gifts were offered to young girls (kanjak) on the occasion. The day started with the ritual of preparing halwa, puri and chane as prasad, which was then offered to the Goddess and kanjaks.

Celebrated on the eighth day of Navratri, Durga Ashtami holds great importance. On this auspicious day, many devotees end their Navtratri fast by worshipping Goddess Durga.

A priest at Dandi Swami temple, Sandeep Kumar, said the day reminded us to recognise our inner strength and face challenges with courage. “Just as Goddess Durga destroyed darkness and negativity, devotees believe that this day helps them overcome personal struggles, fears and doubts,” said the priest, adding that devotees were visiting the temple to offer prayers in numbers.

Plenty of young girls were spotted donning new clothes and roaming in areas like Civil Lines, Ghumar Mandi, Mall Enclave etc and they were called by devotees to visit their homes and have prasad. Interestingly, some girls had hired an auto to visit houses of devotees. “We are about seven girls and two boys, cousins and friends. So we hired an auto to visit three houses in the Civil Lines area. We are coming from Tagore Nagar,” said Sarika, a kanjak.

Meanwhile, Navratri melas continue to pull crowds in the city. Sanmati Yadav, a native from Bihar, said she goes to see Ramlila every year and this time, too, she was going daily with her children. “They come to know about the story of Ramayana. The festival days hold great importance,” she added.