AGARTALA, Oct 17 (TIWN): Durga Ashtami or Maha Ashtami is one of the most auspicious days of four days long Durga Puja Festival. In Tripura, Bengal and other states fasting is undertaken by many people on this holy occasion. This day is also known for 'Astra Puja'(Worshiping Weapons) as on this day the weapons of goddess Durga are worshiped. The day is also known as Vira Ashtami as there are seen to use arms or martial arts on this day. The 'Anjali' (offering of flowers) ritual was observed at 11 am as the puja of Sapatmi started from 9 am today. After a fascinating start, the Durga Puja spirit soared on Wednesday which marked Maha Astami -- day two of the Puja -- as thousands of revellers, adorned up in their best, hit the streets of here and across Tripura. The "Kola Bou", a tender banana plant symbolising a bride, was given a river bath amidst drum beats, wrapped in a sari and placed next to the idol of Ganesha. Through "pran pratistha", the spirit of Durga as a warrior goddess is awakened, and she starts her battle against the manifestation of all evils in the form of Mahishasura -- the buffalo demon.In accordance with custom, fasting devotees offered flowers to the goddess in obeisance and later gorged on an array of delicacies.

People from the metropolis, the Bengal villages, other parts of India as also various countries walked shoulder to shoulder, paying obeisance to the goddess and watching in awe the colossal marquees - many of them beautiful work of art - on Maha Saptami (the seventh Lunar day).

They danced, whistled, mingled with friends and family, relished the street foods on makeshift stalls, and patiently stood in long queues before the landmark marquees. Even a brief spell of rain failed to dampen their spirit. 

The five-day carnival is the biggest annual event in this part of the world as roads are choked with human traffic throughout day and night.

The pujas at the houses of erstwhile zamindar (landowner) families of Hatkhola's Duttas, the Devs of Shovabazar in North Kolkata and Mullicks of South Kolkata's Bhowanipore also drew a steady stream of onlookers.

According to Hindu mythology, the festivities and prayers begin with the symbolic arrival of the goddess on earth on the sixth day of the first quarter of the moon and ends on Dashami or the 10th day, which is celebrated across the country as Dussehra.

Traditionally, every pandal has an idol of Goddess Durga depicting her as slaying the demon Mahishasur. She is shown astride a lion and wielding an array of weapons in her arms.