Thousands of devotees gather at Belur Math to watch 'Kumari Puja'

Belur, Oct 17: Following the age-old tradition, this year also thousands of devotees from across the country and abroad watched 'Kumari Puja' or the worship of a prepubescent girl at Belur Math -- the global headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, as Durga Puja fervour peaked on Maha Ashtami today.

Maha Ashtami, also known as Durga Ashtami, was marked by significant rituals in the morning, beginning with Kumari Puja where girls are worshipped as personifications of the goddess.

Belur Math, in Kolkata's twin district Howrah, about 10 km from here, saw a sea of humanity with people from across the country and abroad, watching as priests worshipped a 'kumari' as the 'Mother Goddess'.

Five-year-old Solvia Mukhopadhyay of B-garden in Howrah district was chosen as the Kumari at Belur Math this year At break of dawn, the Kumari was bathed in Ganga water, draped in a red sari, adorned with flowers and jewellery, with a 'sindur (vermillion) tilak' applied on her forehead.

The young Kumari fasts the whole day until the puja is over.