HT Correspondent
HOJAI, Oct 19: As Durga Puja preparations reach their final stages in Hojai, the city buzzes with activity. Puja committees are working tirelessly to complete the pandal, while artisans are putting the finishing touches on the idol of Maa Durga, along with Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Kartikaye.
Tent-house workers are busy crafting massive theme-based welcome arches and light gates throughout the streets, lanes, and by-lanes of the pandals. This year’s Durga Puja celebrations are set to begin with Sasthi Puja on October 22, with the immersion of the deities scheduled for October 25. The Hojai District Administration is fully prepared to organize the festival smoothly, ensuring that every individual can enjoy the celebrations and worship Maa Durga peacefully.
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Notably, this year boasts 565 puja pandals throughout the entire district. In Hojai, the 18-Handed Maa Durga idol has been a special attraction for devotees. Organized by Aadarsh Durga Puja Samity since 1967, this marks their 57th year. According to Mohan More, the Secretary of Aadarsh Durga Puja Samity, they worship the 18-handed Maa Durga idol because they believe that when she defeated Mahishasura, she had 18 hands.
In previous years, the puja was held on Raibhadur Lane, but since 2020, it has shifted to Jugal Kishore Kedia Bhawan. This year, Aadarsh Durga Puja Committee is prepared to celebrate the festivity with even more enthusiasm and joy. The idol is made of special soil, with a strong focus on decoration and management.
In mythology, it is believed that Goddess Durga initially had 18 hands when she first defeated Mahishasura. However, he used his power to reshape himself. In the subsequent battle, Maa Durga had 16 hands, but Mahishasura reshaped again. Finally, in her ten-handed form, Goddess Durga defeated the buffalo demon. Generally, a ten-handed Durga idol is worshipped.
In addition to Aadarsh Durga Puja Samity, there are many other Samities in Hojai where preparations for Durga Puja are in their final stages. These include Sarbajanik Durga Bari, which has been celebrating since 1935, known for its Vedic puja rituals and the adjoining mela, where thousands of devotees gather to worship Maa Durga and enjoy the festivities.
Simultaneously, various other puja committees, including Kediapuram Durga Puja Samity, Govind Ashram Durga Puja Samity (1940), Natun Bazar Durga Puja (1947), Nabakalpa Durga Puja, Marwari Durgoutsav, Ramkrishna Mission, Sahapatty, Govinda Pally, Bishnupally, Kali Bari, Krishna Nagar, Harijan Colony, and Nepali Mandir (1977) Durga Puja Samity, are gearing up for a grand celebration of the festival with pomp and gaiety.
