Guwahati, Sept. 24: Durga Puja at Kamakhya temple atop Nilachal Hills here began this morning amid chanting of slokas by priests. It will continue for a fortnight, a break from tradition in the rest of the country, where rituals and celebrations begin on October 8 this year.

The celebration of Durga Puja at Kamakhya temple is believed to date back to antiquity. It begins on the ninth day of the waning of the moon or Krishna Navami and ends on the ninth day of the waxing of the moon or Sukla Navami of the Hindu month of Ashwin (mid-September to mid-October), according to the temple management.

Priests said Puja will continue till Bijoya Dashami on October 11.

"During the fortnight, Durga Puja will be performed in the morning, noon and evening. Arati will be performed every day till Dashami," said Bhupesh Kumar Sarma, one of the priests.

The most remarkable aspect of Puja in Kamakhya is that there is no idol or image of Goddess Durga but the rituals are performed in the sanctum sanctorum.

Sarma said the timings for opening the temple door for devotes has been revised for Durga Puja. From today till September 30, the door will remain open from 9am till sunset while it will close at 4pm from October 1 to 7. It will remain open between 10am and 4pm on October 8. On October 9, it will remain open between 11am and 2pm while on the next day, it will be open between 11am and 4pm. On Dashami (October 11), the temple will open at 9am and close at sunset.

Special passes for defence personnel will remain suspended between October 1 and 11. The provision for special passes for other devotees will be suspended on October 9 while it will be limited from October 1 to 11.

Sources said security arrangements on the temple premises have been beefed up for smooth conduct of Durga Puja.

Kamakhya temple, an ancient Shakti Peeth, attracts nearly 6,000 devotes daily. The number goes up to more than a lakh during the four-day Ambubachi mela in June. The number of visitors also goes up during Durga Puja.