Kolkata, Oct. 1 -- On the sacred occasion of Maha Ashtami today, Kumari Puja was performed at Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission in Howrah, near Kolkata.
The century-old ritual, initiated by Swami Vivekananda in 1901, celebrates the worship of a young girl as the embodiment of Goddess Durga, symbolising the dignity and power of womanhood.
Swami Vivekananda introduced the ritual inspired by his master Shri Ramakrishna, with the blessings of Maa Sarada, to spread the philosophy of "service to God through service to humanity."Rooted in this vision, Kumari Puja was meant to instill respect for women in society and highlight the divine feminine as Matru Shakti.
Historical records note that the first Kumari Puja i...