Bhubaneswar, Oct 3: Thousands of devotees, mostly women, throng Durga temples and puja pandals on Mahastami day today. They observe fasting on this day seeking the blessing of Goddess Durga for the well-being of their families.

This year, the temples and puja pandals witness a heavy rush after two years of Covid restrictions. However, the weather alert has cast a shadow on the puja festivities.

Though the overcast sky greets people today, the devotees throng the temples and puja pandals to offer puja to the Goddess on Mahastami.

On Ashtami, Goddess Durga is worshiped in the form of a virgin girl known as Kumari Puja. This is celebrated to maintain the holiness of the female energy. It’s believed, after this puja, the Goddess transforms into a Kumari (a girl). The twin city itself has worn a bridal look.

After a two years break, the capital city is dazzling with colourful lights, theme based pandals. From Ayodhya Ram Mandir in Saheed Nagar to Delhi’s Akshardham temple design pandal in Rasulgarh, Russia Heritage Museum at Jharpada Puja Mandap, Varanasi Ghats in Old station Bazar, Jodhpur palace at Barmunda the city puja pandals have been decorated with theme-based design.