In Hazaribagh, Shivdayal nagar mohalla resident Abhishek Bhushan Prasad has been organising puja at his household including making the idol himself for the last 15 years.
Bhushan said he used to bring all required items from Calcutta.
“People say that the idol made by me is not seen anywhere else as its different and lively,” said Bhushan.
Shivdayal nagar mohalla resident Abhishek Bhushan Prasad with his family at his residential Puja Vishvendu Jaipuriar
In Chatra, a unique custom to crown goddess Durga at Mayurhund Durga Puja Mandap has resulted in a long waiting list till 2060.
Devotees who get the chance have to bear the cost of the crown when their turn comes. Crown makers come from Bengal and total cost comes as Rs.20,000. Puja committee members and villagers gather at the house of the person. The crown custom is performed by priests.
This year, Anant Kumar Sinha performed the custom whose father had made the booking in 1996.
“My father wanted to do this but he passed away with this wish of him remained unfulfilled. I have done this and wherever my father is, he would be happy today that I fulfilled his wish,” said Sinha.
A photo of goddess Durga kept at Sarmatanr in Koderma. Vishvendu Jaipuriar
In Koderma, the committee organising Durga puja since 1954 for the first time kept a picture of Goddess Durga instead of an idol.
Vice president of puja committee, Suresh Yadav said puja this year is a low key affair.
“It was a unanimous decision of the members as we found keeping picture better option to maintain the covid protocol,” he added.
Yadav said committee members have been given the task to ensure there is no violation of protocols with devotees asked to come and leave the place immediately after the darshan.