Popular Rituals Of Durga Puja That Make The 9-Day Festival Special

1/9: Durga Puja begins on Sosthi, initiated by Rama to invoke the goddess Bodhon for defeating Ravana. The evening ceremony ensures proper rituals and preparation of the worship place, ensuring adherence. / Image: PTI

2/9: The Nabapatrika ritual involves nine plants, including the banana plant, tied together to represent the nine forms of female power. The Nabapatrika is bathed in a river, and wrapped in a sari. / Image: PTI/File

3/9: Anjali is a Hindu ritual where people pay respect to the goddess through Pushpanjali, a floral offering, during Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami, bathing, dressing, and gathering. / Image: X

4/9: Kumari Puja, celebrated on Ashtami, involves a pre-pubescent girl worshipped as Durga's living incarnation, often held at Belur Math, the Ramakrishna Order's headquarters. / Image: PTI/Representative

5/9: Sandhi Puja occurs during Ashtami and Navami, marking Goddess Durga's appearance to kill demons Chanda and Munda. It involves lighting 100 lamps, a mantra, and symbolic vegetable sacrifices. / Image: Unsplash/Representative

6/9: Dhunuchi Naach is a fun ritual on Navami evenings, featuring burning charcoal pots filled with dancing to dhaak beats. Originally performed by men, it's now performed by women. / Image: Pexels

7/9: Sindur Khela is a Hindu ritual where married women, but not widows, offer vermillion and sweets to the goddess before smearing each other with the vermillion. However, some women question this custom. / Image: X

8/9: Bisarjan Sindur Khela is a goddess and her children perform Bisorjon, or immersion in the river, symbolizing her return to Mount Kailash. The ritual involves placing idols on bamboo platforms. / Image: X

9/9: Bijoya marks the end of the annual festival, where young people bless elders, men perform Kolakuli, and special sweets like Naru are distributed, with traditional women making them at home. / Image: Pexels