Ranchi: The eagerly awaited festival season has kicked off in the state with the start of Durga Puja from Thursday onwards despite the fact that this year also the celebrations are a low-key affair in the state in wake of the restrictions imposed due to Covid-19. Chief Minister Hemant Soren also extended his greetings to the people of the state over the start of the festival. He hoped that the festival may bring peace prosperity and happiness in the lives of the people of the state.
Though theme-based large size pandals and big idols of the Goddess are missing this year too that did not prevent the people to reach their nearest temples to offer their obeisance to Maa Durga who on the first day is worshipped in the form of ‘Shailputri’.
Usually the festival is spread across 10 days but this year it will be only 9 days as ‘Tritiya and Chaturthi’ (third and fourth day) fall on the same day which is October 9. On October 13 Mahaashtami will be observed, Mahanavmi falls on October 14 and Vijaydashmi or Dusherra will be celebrated on October 15. Across the state capital, a long queue of devotees was seen across the temples located across different areas eager to offer their prayers to the deity. Fruits selling flowers, fruits and other items required in the rituals did a brisk business.