AGARTALA, April 2 (TIWN): State on Wednesday observed Ram Navami, ninth day of Basanti Puja with pomp and gaiety. This day is also known as Navami Puja (for Bengalis, Tripuris) and prayers were offered to Basanti Durga Goddess.

In Agartala, like every year Basanti puja was observed in Agartala Durga Bari. All these days were observed keeping social distance and no devotee was seen except necessary staffs in the Durga puja.

It is to be mentioned here that Ram Navami, Basanti Puja or the spring navaratri is observed on the ninth day during the Shukla Paksha that is bright phase of moon in the month of Chaitra that is in between the month of March – April as per traditional Hindu calendar.

However, on the ninth day of the celebration Ram Navami is observed. However, it is also called as Ram Navratri.

This festival of nine nights in Hindu religion is dedicated to Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati and is takes place during the spring season there it is also known as Spring Navaratri or Basanti Puja.

In some regions the nine days are dedicated to the worship of Lord Ram and includes the reading of Ramayana and observance of Ramayan week.

The popular belief is that Goddess Durga was worshipped Navratri and Durga Puja was held in the Chaitra month and it was known as 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.