JOWAI/NONGPOH: The traditional Durga puja at Nartiang began with the welcoming of the Goddess who, locals believe, rises from River Myntang, early on Saturday morning.
The beat of traditional drums filled the air at Nartiang, the erstwhile summer capital of the Jaintia King or the Sutnga Rajas, around 3 am on Saturday when devotees went to the river to collect holy water called ‘Umber’ in a sacred container called ‘Kara’ or ‘Luta’.
However, the Puja formally started on Friday evening with the ritual called ‘Kam meit’, which is the preparation night for the celebrations at Nartiang Durga temple.
On Saturday, the second day of the celebrations, which is called ‘Sngi ba Hynniew’ or Saptami, the head of the Niamtre – the Dolloi, his ministers, including the Pators, Lyngdohs and Wasans, besides the ‘pujaree’ or the priest went to the river to collect holy water.
According to the secretary of the Nartiang puja committee, Hep Sing Dhar, the people of the area believe that Goddess Durga comes from the Myntang and she has to be welcomed and brought to the temple.
The Durga idol at Nartiang is made of banana plants, which is different from idols of the Goddess prepared in other parts of the country. The idol is dressed with flowers and white clothes, which is followed by ‘Ka Pom Blang’ or goat sacrifice on the premises of the temple.
Sunday, the third day of the celebrations, would be a day of rest for the Goddess. On this day, the faithful from Nartiang will perform a ritual called ‘Ka Ei Ja Blai’ wherein meal is offered to the Goddess.
On Sunday midnight, ‘Knia Synia’ or goat sacrifice will be held inside the temple. The goat is dressed like a human being to depict the human sacrifice performed inside the temple in the past.
On the fourth day (Monday) or Navami, a ritual called “Bam Ar-wa-liang” or “Kar Puja” will be performed which includes goat sacrifices at the Durga temple as well as the Shiva temple situated at Lum Sahmai, Nartiang. On this day, faithful of Nartiang bring their goats to the temple for sacrifice.
The fifth day is the ‘Sngi Hiar Um’. It is Dashami or the tenth day of the month as per Hindu lunar calendar. The deity will return back home and the faithful in Nartiang village will gather at the Durga Temple and perform ‘Shad Pastieh’ or swords dance. The deity will be taken to Myntang river with the beat of drums and clinging of swords performed by religious elders and the deity will be immersed at Myntang river followed by the release of a dove and a bird locally called Pdit as gift to Goddess Durga.
The puja will culminate on Wednesday morning with a ritual called ‘Ka Bhah Bhet’.
Nongpoh joins in celebrations
Meanwhile, the Ram Mandir Durga Puja Samiti in Nongpoh came alive with illumination on Saturday even as various programmes were organised to mark the joyous occasion.
Among the visitors was local MLA DD Lapang who was accompanied by leaders of Raid Nongpoh, Nongpoh Dorbar, Nongpoh Town Committee and Women Welfare of Nongpoh Town.
Addressing the gathering Lapang expressed immense pleasure in being able to take part in the festivities. While assuring full cooperation to the Hindu community in Nongpoh Lapang also extended puja greetings to all the people of the state.
It may be mentioned that Durga puja has been celebrated in Nongpoh with great enthusiasm since 1944.
