AGARTALA, April 9 (TIWN): Preparation for the upcoming Basanti Puja is going on in full swing in the State.

Artisans are busy in giving finishing touch on the idols. With the festive season knocking at the door, people all across the state are busy in buying items for the upcoming celebration.

A special ritual known as 'Kumari Puja' was performed in which a six-year-old girl was worshipped as a living embodiment of goddess. 'Kumari Puja' is the tradition of worshipping young pre-pubescent Brahmin girls as manifestations of the divine female energy or Devi.

The ritual, preparations for which started over two months ago, culminated in the girl being worshipped exactly as the sculpture of goddess on the eighth day or Astami of Basanti puja.

With Basanti Puja round the corner, preparations are on in full swing in the city. The artisans all across the state are now having a busy time making clay idols.

According to Mythology, Basanti puja started in prehistoric times when the Indian saints started celebration of the festival in this season for peace.

At that time the goddess had asked the saints to worship her in the form of Kumari or virgin who later grows to mother and hence this ritual started.

It is believed that King Surath and Samadhi Vaishya met Medha Muni while they were wandering in the forests after losing their kingdoms. Medha Muni suggested to them to perform Basanti Durga Puja to get back their lost kingdoms.

According to a legend, Basanti Durga Puja originated when King Surath performed the first ever Durga Puja during spring.

It is to be mentioned here that Basanti Puja is observed in the season of Spring. This puja is performed in the month of Chaitra in Bengali calendar which corresponds to March-April of English calendar.