Bhubaneswar: People are in festive grip with the long battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura drawing to a close. Revelers flocked to the Durga Puja pandals and offered prayers to Mahishasuramardini – the slayer of the buffalo demon on Thursday with Mahanavami being celebrated across the state, the fourth day of Durga Puja.
Mahanavami (ninth lunar day) began with ‘Sandhi Puja’ after the Mahashtami formally ended on Wednesday afternoon.
According to Hindu mythology, the goddess had killed two demons Chando and Mundo at the confluence (sandhi). The undefeated divine force is worshiped with lotuses and offered her favourite food items on this day.
The goddess is also given a holy bath and honoured with 16 types of offerings to her. The day also witnesses Navami Havan, which is also called Chandi Homam.
Kanya puja is performed in states like Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, on this day. Nine girls, who have not attained puberty, are invited home and offered delicacies like puri, chana ka sabzi, kheer and halwa.
In Gujarat, Mahanavami is celebrated with ‘garba’ and ‘dandiya raas’ as other eight days of Navratri. Similarly, Suhasini Puja is performed in South India.
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