Devotees thronged several puja pandals on the occasion of the ‘Maha Ashtami Puja’ of Goddess Durga across the steel city Bokaro on Sunday.
With colourful dresses, women devotees queued in front of various puja pandals to perform special pujas and offer their reverence to Devi Durga on this special day.
Thousands of devotees visited puja pandals to worship and receive the blessings of goddess Durga. People have taken the precious glimpses of the idols of goddess Durga. As they believe that the mother stands for everything that is everywhere in the universe. As goddess Durga, sits on a Lion gives us the power to eat, breathe, and walk safely. Maha Ashtami or Durga Ashtami is considered to be the most important day of Durga Puja. Usually, the day begins with Mangala aarti and Pushpanjali which is followed by other rituals at the pandals.
The entire city is illuminating magnificently with innovative themes which offering glimpses of goddess Durga. Chhau, Dandia and Garba dance competitions observed at various puja spots. More than 105 pandals have been set up in Chas and Bokaro which includes the replicas of various popular temples.
In many pandals, the idols have been kept and decorated in the center of the three-dimensional natural scenes. The celebration of Navratara is in the honour of the goddess Durga-the mother of the world, said Punam a devotee at Bang Bharti Puja Pandal.
“Whether we pray to Mother Goddess or not, she always thinks of us, she holds us in her arms when we feel sad, in the form of our own mother, or friend,” she added.
Meanwhile, the district police deployed ‘Aerial Drones’ and CCTV cameras at puja pandals and several spots to put the city under foolproof security cover during the festivity. Cops are instructed to tackle all the adverse situations and keep strong security arrangements. Patrolling has been intensified to avert any untoward incidents, said P Murugun SP Bokaro.
“Within a short span of time, we can tackle any adverse situation. Cops also asked to keep a vigil on anti-social elements including mobike riders inside the city as well as on the entry point. Miscreants would be dealt strictly and no compromise will be made in providing security to the people,” he added. “We have already issued a directive to social media groups, WhatsApp and Facebook group administrators and members, not to spread rumors, offensive messages ahead of any festival.
The administrator of a group on the social media is liable for prosecution if any rumour or fake news is circulated on it,” he added. “Social media platforms allow a person to create a group on which members can share views, photographs or videos.
Misuse of social media with fake news, morphed photographs and disturbing videos with fabricated local narratives can easily be circulated that can trigger tension and even communal split,” said the SP. He further said, while freedom of expression on social media is important, it also comes with a responsibility.
“It has been made clear that any misleading information or rumour (factually incorrect) on a social media group could result in an FIR against the group administrator,” he added.
