Basanti Puja celebrated in Tripura

At a time when abortion of female foetus often hits the headlines, a six-year-old girl has been worshiped as a living embodiment of goddess on the occasion of Basanti Puja in the Anandamayee Sangha in Tripura’s capital Agartala.

Kumari puja is a tradition of worshipping young pre-pubescent Brahmin girls as manifestations of the divine female energy or devi (goddess) among the Hindus.

‘Kumari’ literally means virgin in Sanskrit.

The ritual, preparation for the festival which started over two months ago, culminated with the girl being worshiped on the eighth day (Astami) of Basanti Puja.

Basanti is an incarnation of goddess Durga, the symbol of victory of good over evil.

However, there is no record as to who started the Kumari Puja. But according to the Rig Veda from time immemorial it is prevalent in Hinduism in India. But Kumari Puja got popularity from the time of Swami Viveananda.

Thousand of devotes gathered to see the ritual of the Kumari Puja in Agartala on Friday.

Gouri Saha, a devotee who came to witnessed Kumari Puja said, "Every year we come here for the Basanti Puja and pray for our good health, wealth and the progress of our nation."