The festival of 'Basantipuja' was celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm here today at the Anandamayee Sangha.
A special ritual known as 'Kumari Puja' was performed in which a six-year-old girl was worshipped as a living embodiment of goddess. 'Kumari Puja' is the tradition of worshipping young pre-pubescent Brahmin girls as manifestations of the divine female energy or Devi in South Asian countries.
The ritual, preparations for which started over two months ago, culminated in the girl being worshipped exactly as the sculpture of goddess on the eighth day or Astami of Basanti puja.
"Basanti puja started in prehistoric times when the Indian saints started celebration of the festival in this season for peace. At that time the goddess had asked the saints to worship her in the form of Kumari or virgin who later grows to mother and hence this ritual started," said the priest who performed the rituals.
It is believed that King Surath and Samadhi Vaishya met Medha Muni while they were wandering in the forests after losing their kingdoms. Medha Muni suggested to them to perform Basanti Durga Puja to get back their lost kingdoms.
According to a legend, Basanti Durga Puja originated when King Surath performed the first ever Durga Puja during spring.
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Thousand of devotes gathered to see the ritual of the Kumari Puja.
Gouri Saha, a devotee who came to witness virgin worshiping said, "Every year we come here for the Basanti Puja and pray for our good health, wealth and the progress of our nation."
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'Kumari Puja' is practiced only at a handful of places in the country.