Sambhal Marks Durga Ashtami With VHP, Matri Shakti Celebrations

Sambhal celebrated the Durga Ashtami festival with great enthusiasm, joy and grandeur under the joint aegis of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Matri Shakti / Durga Vahini and the Mahila Shakti Sangathan. The event was marked by the participation of women from Matri Shakti, who appeared in traditional red attire. Their presence gave the entire programme a distinctive sense of divinity.

The programme began with the worship of Maa Durga, performed according to prescribed rituals. This was followed by the worship of weapons, which conveyed a message of tradition and security. Workers of the organisations took part in the Shastra Pujan with enthusiasm.

The entire pandal echoed with chants of “जय माता दी” and devotional bhajans. The atmosphere remained filled with religious fervour as participants joined in the celebrations.

Kanya Pujan was another major attraction of the special occasion. Small girls were worshipped as part of the traditional ceremony. Everyone present washed the girls’ feet and sought their blessings. Dressed in beautiful clothes, the young girls appeared to those present as embodiments of Maa Durga. Their presence left the entire atmosphere spellbound.

Matri Shakti convenor Deepa Varshney attended the programme as the chief speaker. In her address, she highlighted the importance of Durga Ashtami and said that Indian culture considers women to be a form of शक्ति, or power.

She said that the need of the hour is for mothers and sisters to recognise their inner strength and come forward to protect their culture and society. Deepa Varshney also called upon all the workers to remain united and stay ready to serve the nation.

The celebrations brought together the participating organisations and their workers for worship, Shastra Pujan and Kanya Pujan. The programme concluded in a grand manner with the distribution of prasad.

Rajat Malhotra reported from Sambhal.