RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Oct.13: Number of goats for sacrifice during Navratri celebration at JAP-1 ground in Doranda has been reduced to 10 from 18 this year due to corona pandemic but the enthusiasm among the JAP personnel taking part in the celebration has not reduced.
This was reflected today in the JAP-1 premises in Doranda where Maha Ashtmi Puja was offered amid gun salute by Gorkha Jawans to Goddess Durga to keep the 140-year old tradition of the battalion puja alive. Gorkhas with their family members were present on the occasion offering prayer to the Goddess to protect them from the crisis.
The tradition is believed to have begun soon after an armed constabulary named Bihar Military Police (BMP) was raised way back in 1880 and the Gorkha jawans in the force began celebrating Durga Puja in their traditional way. The JAP personnel worship the goddess as Navadurga.
The temple where the ritual of the puja was performed was beautifully decorated. The jawans had placed a kalash (sacred pot) on a bedi (holy platform) at the designated place near Tikko Hall.
Vice president of JAP-1 Policemen’s Association Mukesh Chhetry supported the observation saying sacrifice of goats started from Tuesday. “One goat will be sacrificed at night while eight will be sacrificed tomorrow on the occasion of Mahanavami. One goat was sacrificed on Maha Saptami,” Chettry said.
Chhetry said: “Gorkhas worshipped nine trees and nine Kanya on Maha Saptami according to the tradition.”
JAP-1 commandant Anish Gupta was expected to remain present in the programme according to tradition of the battalion. But he could not remain present due to health problems. “He has undergone surgery and could not remain present” Chhetry said.
