The making of a Kumari for puja

 

COOCH BEHAR, Oct. 8: Six-year-old Shinjini is getting ready to be worshipped as the Kumari during the Durga Puja at Ramkrishna Math in Cooch Behar. Presently she is being trained for the holy performance.

 

The father of little Shinjini is Mr Rajat Chattopadhyay. He is the agricultural extension officer of Cooch Behar-I block. Her mother Mrs Shravani Chattopadhyay is a teacher of Ramgopal Lakhotia High School at Pundibari. Shinjini is a student of Upper KG in a private school in Cooch Behar town. They reside at Ghoshpara by-lane in Cooch Behar town.

 

Recently, when the Chattopadhyay family received the proposal for Shinjini to be worshipped at the Kumari puja ritual they turned astonished. Discussing the proposal with all family members and close relatives they expressed their consent. Then the members of Sarada Sangha visited the house to see her. Examining her with all religious criteria and aspects she was selected. At last, the president of Cooch Behar Ramkrishna Math, Swami Ajarananda approved her selection as the Kumari of this year, family sources said. Ramkishna Math sources too confirmed her selection.

 

In a bid to keep her well for the Kumari puja ritual she is undergoing some instructions about eating and consuming of foods. Training is also going on at the residence of a member of Sarada Sangha about the right physical posture that she will have to do during the Kumari puja. She is also hearing sacred Stotras from Veda and participating in the prayers at the Ramkrishna Math regularly. In her home, her parents engaged them daily in telling and explaining the greatness and dignity of Devi Durga and Kumari puja ritual.

 

Little Shinjini is a very jolly, lively and lovely girl. She is not very aware of the importance of Kumari puja or the large gathering that is expected to throng there to witness the puja of her. She only knows that she will be worshipped as the Kumari and for that reason she has to follow several instructions and restrictions. []

 

PHOTO : "Kumari" Shinjini with her parents in Cooch Behar.