Maha Ashtami today
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Hustle and bustle mark the Durga Puja in Assam and elsewhere. Assam also witnessed such a situation on the Maha Saptami today. However, the state has some centuries-old Durga Pujas laden with the very essence of devotion but devoid of luxuries.
The wooden idol of Goddess Durga at Puranigudam in the Nagaon district is 135 years old. The organizers never emmerse the idol after the puja. They, however, paint the idle from time to time and attire it afresh in every puja. The hustle and bustle of the festive season is not there, as devotion is pervasive in the ambience.
The Beltoli Durga Mandap at Christianpatty in the Nagaon district is holding the 164th Durga Puja this year. The Atani Bazar Durga Mandir of Boguribari in the Nagaon district has completed 130 years now.
The Ahom-era Hatimura Dashabhuja Durga Mandir was established 278 years ago. According to the local people, Swargadeo Promotto Singha established this Durga Mandir in 1745. The Durga Puja in this temple scrupulously follows Vedic rituals.
The Bokulbari Durga Puja in undivided Dibrugarh is also 400 years old. According to the local people, this temple started Durga Puja during the reign of Swargodeo Pratap Singha, under the supervision of Mumai Tamuly Borbaruah.
The Burhi Goshainy Devalaya in the Nagaon district also started Durga Puja some 230 years ago and continued the tradition without any luxury.
The puja pandals in Assam depict diverse themes, ranging from environmental protection to Chandrayaan. If some have chosen the prototype of Ram Mandir, some have depicted the withdrawal of Article 370 of the Constitution.
The artisans also applied various technologies to make idols. Some have used discarded papers and thick cardboard; some have used only bamboo and wood; yet others have used coins to make pandals.
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