GUWAHATI: The annual Shitala Puja celebration is underway in the town of Lumding with the participation of thousands of devotees from across the region.
Following the traditions of the previous years, the festivities started this year as well. The event will continue for eight days till April 11. The festival was organised in the Shitalabari complex of the Horulongfar region in Lumding with complete ethnicity and traditional favour. Following the traditions, the statue of the goddess of the was adorned with new clothes and ornaments one day ahead of the start of the celebrations and the rituals was carried out.
Every year lakhs of devotees from across the state as well as from outside the state visit the premises of the temple during this 8-day festival. The devotees make offerings on the foot of the statue which include vermillion, oil, and coconuts as a mark of respect. People waited in long queues for their chance to pay their respects to the goddess even before dawn.
The railway department has also taken steps towards the help of the devotees visiting Lumding for the festival. Extra coaches have been added to several trains to ensure the smooth transit of passengers to and from the location of the festival.
Apart front he regular celebrations, a mela has also been organised at the venue of the festival for the visitors.
Also the Yangli Festival of Tiwa people which is also known as ‘Lakshmi Puja’, concluded on Friday evening with traditional rituals at Guva, Jagiroad in Morigaon district which commenced on March 29. The Yangli Festival is one of the most important festivals of the Tiwa as it is related to agriculture which is the mainstay of their economy. The Tiwa people pray for a bountiful harvest during this festival and to protect their crops from pests and other natural calamities. The festival is celebrated once every five years. The sowing of paddy starts immediately after the celebration of this festival. This time the Yangli Festival was celebrated with fun fare in presence of Guva king Deep Singh Deuraja.
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