Year after year, appeal of Belur Math’s ‘Kumari Puja’ remains undiminished

September 30, 2025 5:11 PM

Year after year, appeal of Belur Math’s ‘Kumari Puja’ remains undiminished

On the occasion of Maha Ashtami on Tuesday, Kumari Puja - the worship of young girls as an embodiment of Goddess Durga - was performed at Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission in Howrah, near Kolkata. The ritual was observed with the same enthusiasm and devotion that has marked it for more than a century, drawing followers of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, his consort Maa Sarada, and his disciple Swami Vivekananda. The devotional appeal of Kumari Puja has re...

Maa Durga’s blessings: President Murmu, PM Modi greet country on Maha Ashtami

September 30, 2025 12:26 PM

Maa Durga’s blessings: President Murmu, PM Modi greet country on Maha Ashtami

On the sacred occasion of Maha Ashtami, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt greetings to the nation, celebrating Durga Puja and Navratri, invoking the blessings of Maa Durga for peace, prosperity, and well-being. In a post on X, President Murmu highlighted the cultural, spiritual, and social essence of the festival. Her post, originally in Hindi, read in translation: "On the holy occasion of Durga Puja, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to...