AGARTALA, April 11 (TIWN): With just counting hours are left, the city decked up for the celebration of the Basanti Durga Puja.

The puja organisers are busy in giving final touch to their preparation.

Meanwhile, artisans are working overtime to complete the preparation of the idols, while the administration is busy in ensuing peaceful celebration in the festive season.

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.

The Basanti Durga Puja is celebrated in the spring season.

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.