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Assam: Durga Puja begins today with COVID-19 cautions

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GUWAHATI: The much-awaited Durga Puja is beginning from today (Shashthi) and will end on October 26 (Dashami). Though pandemic has dampened  the puja spirit this year, preparations are on to worship Goddess Durga maintaining  COVID-19 protocols. The Assam Government has already issued guidelines  to prevent the COVID-19 infection during the festival. The Puja committees are ensuring precautionary measures in view of the pandemic. 

Many puja committees including those in Guwahati will restrict the celebration with religious rituals only. The committees have resorted to a low-key puja celebration due to the pandemic. 

Though there is no flamboyant celebration of Durga Puja this year, the religious fervour has been ruling the air across the state. Durga Puja, one of the most significant religious festivals  is celebrated in the month of Ashwin or September-October in the Gregorian calendar.

The five days of Durga Puja are Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami.

As legend goes, Goddess Durga defeated demon god Asura in a battle. And the festival celebrates this victory of good over evil.

Apart from Goddess Durga, Goddess Laxmi and Saraswati, and Lord Ganesha and Kartika — considered to be her children — are also worshipped on this occasion.

On Dashami traditionally the idols of Durga and other gods and goddesses are immersed in the river or any other water body. Women smear vermillion or sindoor on the idols and on each other. This ritual signifies wishing a blissful marital life. People also perform a traditional dance called “Dhunuchi naach” which involves performing with an incense burner.

Sandhi Puja, held at the juncture between Ashtami Tithi and Navami Tithi, is one of the major rituals performed during this festival. The muhurat for this will be between 6:34 am and 7:22 am on October 24, 2020, according to drikpanchang.com. The Vijayadashami Aparahna muhurat will be between 12:29 pm and 2:46 pm.

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