Dhaka, Oct. 19 -- Bengali Hindus have worshipped a young girl as a symbol of Goddess Durga on Ashtami, the eighth day of the Durga Puja festival.

They believe that the primordial power behind the cycle of creation, preservation and destruction of the universe exists in seed form in a young girl.

Guided by this belief, Hindus worship a Kumari, or prepubescent girl, as Goddess Durga on Ashtami.

The tradition of Kumari Puja at Ramakrishna Mission centres and monasteries across the subcontinent follows the example of mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who many years ago worshipped his wife Sarada Devi as the Divine Mother.

Kumari Puja is said to convey the ideals of reverence for humanity, respect and dignity for women, and devotion to God....