Traditional Kumari Puja held at Ramakrishna Mission

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Traditional Kumari Puja was held at the Daleshwar Ramakrishna Mission in Agartala on Monday on the occasion of Maha Ashtami, with devotees gathering at the Mission to witness the ritual. Rajib Bhattacharjee, BJP MP, attended the ceremony with his family.

Vedantika Chakraborty, the six-year-old daughter of Biswajit Chakraborty, a resident of College Tilla, was worshipped as Kumari Ma this year, according to the Mission's priest. The ritual was performed in accordance with prescribed religious customs.

Kumari Puja is observed during Durga Puja, particularly on Maha Ashtami, and involves worshipping a young girl as a manifestation of the Divine Mother. Explaining its mythological origins, the priest referred to the account of the demon Kolasura, who, according to religious tradition, seized control of heaven and earth.

The gods are said to have sought the help of Goddess Mahakali, who appeared in the form of a Kumari and killed Kolasura. The tradition of Kumari Puja is associated with this account, the priest said.

The ceremony at Daleshwar took place as Durga Puja celebrations continued across Tripura, with worshippers observing the festival according to established customs.

Bhattacharjee, who visited the Mission to offer prayers, extended his greetings to the people of Tripura on Maha Ashtami and prayed for the welfare of the state and the country.

He also called for collective efforts to build a developed Tripura.

Swami Amarty ananda Maharaj, secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission in Agartala, has explained the philosophical significance of Kumari Puja as a form of worship rooted in the recognition of feminine power. The ritual, according to his interpretation, also encourages devotees to reflect on purity of mind and spiritual growth.

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