BASANTI DURGA PUJA CELEBRATED BY BENGALIS

NAVI MUMBAI: Residents of the Bengali community have been observing Basanti Durga Puja in the city from Tuesday. Celebrations will continue till Saturday.

Bangiya Matri Sangha, a Koparkhairne-based all-women’s organisation, which has been organising the puja for the last eight years, has installed a sixfoot idol of Durga at the premises of Lion’s club in Koparkhairne. The idol was sculpted by Ambernath’s Bimal Pal.

“Legend has it that Basanti Durga Puja is celebrated to mark the day that King Surath performed the first ever Durga Puja in spring after getting instructions from Sage Medha,” said Chanda Chakroborty, president of the committee.

“On Thursday, a maha snan will be followed by a sandhi puja at 2 am and Kumari puja on Navami day. On Dashami, women will play with vermilion. We will also serve bhog and other traditional items such as khichudi, payesh , labda and chutney,” said Chakroborty.

An 11-foot idol Durga has also been installed at Samannay Kali Bari in Vashi which will hold celebrations for the second year in a row.