cyclone failed to dampen the spirit of devotees who in large number thronged puja pandals, visited friends and relatives and gorged onto special menus offered by the restaurants across the country. Many people indulged in light hearted chats, before partaking bhog (community feasts of food items offered to the Goddess first), which comprised a wide-range of varieties from luchis (poori bread) to khichuri, vegetable items etc. As per Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga killed Chando and Mundo, two asuras (demons) at the confluence (Sandhi) of Maha Ashtami and Mahanavami and then it turns Vijayadashmi. According to sources, the mythology says that the Puja celebrates the annual descent of the Goddess - accompanied by her four children Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati - on the Earth to visit her parents. She stays for four days to eradicate all evil from the Earth before returning to her husband Lord Shiva at Kailash on Dashami. President Pranab Mukherjee has said in his greetings, "The strength and resilience of Indian society lies in its plurality and diversity. Tolerance and pluralism are the principles, which constitute the
foundation of our secular fabric. We must, as individuals and as a society, work hard to foster the spirit of communal harmony and brotherhood. Let us engage in ceaseless efforts to establish and maintain peace and amity amongst the myriad communities that enrich our diverse society.? (With input from Agencies). Source: News Track India,
