From the archive record
Devotees begin preparing for a ritual of garlanding the idol of goddess Durga with flowers and leaves of Wood Apple. Diyas are lit and prasad or food for the god prepared while the priest can be heard chanting in the background. A priest puts a shawl on the idol. Durga Puja is celebrated among Hindus in India in various forms as a celebration of women and the goddess Durga who is also worshipped in many other forms. Durga Puja is mostly celebrated in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, Tripura and Bihar. Durga Puja is also the commemoration of the goddess Durga's triumph over Mahishasura, the shape-shifting demon in Hindu mythology. Mostly Durga Puja is a grand affair with many activities as part of the festivity but this year due to the Coronavirus outbreak the celebration looks low