Dhaka, Oct. 19 -- A Chattogram temple has worshipped three young girls as living representations of Goddess Durga on Ashtami, the eighth day of Durga Puja.

The Kumari Puja began at 10:30am on Monday at Radhagobinda Shantaneshwari Matri Mandir in Pathorghata, with the girls honoured as symbols of motherly power and purity.

Temple head Shyamananda Das said the tradition dates back to ancient times, citing Hindu scriptures and the worship of the goddess in her maiden form by figures including Arjuna, Lord Rama, Adi Shankaracharya and Swami Vivekananda.

He said worshipping women as manifestations of the Divine Mother could help raise their status in society and awaken benevolent forces.

Kumari Puja, he added, makes no distinction based on...