Army personnel celebrate Durga Puja in Kashmir Valley

Army personnel, who are deputed at Srinagar, celebrated Durga Puja here, and marked the festivities in a manner akin to the ten-day long festival being celebrated in Kolkata.

By Suhail Ahmed

Srinagar, Oct 21 : Army personnel, who are deputed at Srinagar, celebrated Durga Puja here, and marked the festivities in a manner akin to the ten-day long festival being celebrated in Kolkata.

At Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar, special arrangements were made for the Durga Puja with Army personnel of various ranks visiting the Durga Puja Pandal (makeshift temple) showcasing their devotion.

This Durga Puja Pandal attracts attention for various aspects. The colourfully decorated Pandal has been illuminated with various fancy lights. A priest from Kolkata was especially brought here to conduct the rituals in praise of Goddess Durga.

"I have come from West Bengal to celebrate Durga Puja, here. I was overwhelmed to see the enthusiasm of the people in the Cantonment area for the festival," said Ashu Bandan, a priest.

To generate a feeling of being in Kolkata during Durga Puja, Dhakis or drummers from West Bengal have been brought here for the celebrations at Badami Bagh Cantonment.

With so much to enjoy this Durga Puja, the ladies belonging Army families are elated to enjoy the festival with religious fervour and merriment.

"Everybody has been celebrating Durga Puja with much fun and unity here. I am glad to be a part of the celebrations," said Ramei, one of the housewives.

Hundreds of other devotees, apart from the Army personnel, have visited this Pandal in the last few days to pay their obeisance to the Goddess Durga, the deity worshipped during the festival.

"Such festival celebrations boost up our morale. We get a feeling of concord and peace. I wish that the Goddess blesses all of us with the strength to work harder for the development of our nation," said Major Vinay of Indian Army.

Durga festival infuses a feeling of unity among masses. Hence, it is a factor closely associated with the State's peace and prosperity.

"The Puja is similar to the one I have back there in Assam. I am delighted to be a part of it. I pray for peace and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir," said R. K. Dutta, one of the soldiers.

Moreover, a variety of entertainment programmes are being organised at the venue.

ANI