Agartala, Oct. 9: Goddess Durga is worshipped as an incarnation of power. She also personifies love, affection, compassion and care.
It is these qualities that inspire the more than a century-old Puja in the household of Bijay Debbarman, former chairman of Tripura Public Service Commission and deputy director-general of Archaeological Survey of India.
"The difference is in the appearance of the idols. Ma Durga stands with a benign smile and so do her children as if ready to shower love and compassion on devotees. The Mahishasura begs forgiveness from the Goddess with folded hands," said Debbarman at his residence in Krishna Nagar here.
Unlike most other Pujas, there is no animal sacrifice. "Since our Puja is celebrated in Vaishnavite style, we offer fruits, boiled rice and vegetable curry and rice to the Goddess. The rituals are performed strictly according to the scriptures," said Debbarman.
He said his late grandfather Harachandra Debbarman started the Puja in 1899 when Radhakishore Manikya (1896-1909) was the king. The king himself came to visit our Puja, he recalled his father telling him. There was a gap in organising the Puja from 1912 to 1926. "In 1927, my father Asit Debbarman, who was a doctor, restarted the Puja and it has been continuing till today," he said.
He said the artisan who makes the idols at Durga Bari, makes them at his home as well. He said his sons will continue the Puja in his absence.