Dhaka, Oct 11 (V7N)- Today marks Mahashtami , the third and most significant day of Autumn Durga Puja , the main religious festival for Bengali Hindus. As every year, the special Kumari Puja ritual is being performed with great devotion across Bangladesh, including at the prominent Ramakrishna Mission in the capital.

The Kumari Puja is a unique ritual where a young virgin girl is worshipped as an embodiment of Jagajjanani —the universal mother. According to Hindu scriptures, the virgin, symbolizing purity and divinity, will be worshipped under one of the many names of Maa Durga . Through this act, the belief is that women's purity and motherly essence are honored, fostering a society where respect and reverence for women prevail.

The worship begins with the offering of 16 sacred materials , followed by a special ritual where the five elements— fire, water, air, earth, and sky —are offered to the virgin mother. A garland is then placed around the girl's neck, symbolizing the culmination of the Kumari Puja . Devotees, filled with faith, then offer garlands to the goddess on Mahashtami , expressing their devotion.

The deeper significance of Kumari Puja lies in its underlying message: worshipping the virgin girl is seen as a form of honoring the creator, promoting respect for women, and upholding the dignity of all people. Hindus believe that this act of devotion reinforces the moral and spiritual fabric of society, emphasizing the importance of respect for both women and the divine.

In addition to Kumari Puja, prasad will be distributed to devotees in temples and mandaps across the country, including key locations in Dhaka such as Shankhari Bazar , Dhakeswari National Temple , and Ramana Kali Temple . Special prayers and rituals will continue throughout the day, drawing crowds of worshippers from all walks of life.

The five-day Durga Puja festival began on Wednesday, October 9 , with Mahashasthi and will conclude on Sunday, October 13 , with the immersion of idols on Vijaya Dashami , marking the end of the festivities.

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