Family members of former chief minister and present BJP national vice-president Raghubar Das performed kanya puja ( or Kumari Puja ) on the last day of Navratri at Shitla Mandir at Bhalubasa. Das could not attend the ouja as he is away at Patna for the upcoming Bihar assembly polls.
His wife Rukmini Devi, son Lalit Das, daughter-in-law Purnima and other close relatives took part in the rituals that began at around 10 am and continued for about two hours.
They offered prayers to nine girls aged below 12. The girls, who are believed to represent various forms of Durga were offered a chunri, a token amount and bhog comprising halwa, puri-sabzi and kheer.
Kanya puja rituals were observed at several other pujas across the city on Sunday.
Meanwhile, bight sunshine during the day and clear skies ensured more people were on the roads on Navami.But, it was nowhere close to crowds from previous years.
Most pujas in the steel city witnessed a good turnout on Navami, the crowd comprising mostly young people.
Senior citizens too ventured out but their numbers were less as most preferred to stay indoors.
In most parts of the city, people started trickling into pandal areas from evening. Everyone had their faces covered with masks and many were seen with sanitiser bottles.
" I am out with my family for the first time this puja. Although the threat of Covid exists but we are following all the safety protocols," said Sajal Kumar Sen, a former employee of Tata Motors who stays at Telco Colony.
Purnendu Ghosh, a businessman who had come with his two daughters at the Sarbajanin Durga Puja organised at the Aambagan Ground in Sakchi said, " This year is very different and we are happy to be out. "