Lucknow, Oct. 17 -- Amid a reverberation of Dhaks and conch shells, people soaked in the spirit of Durga Puja celebrations on Shashthi on Friday. On Shashthi, mothers seek Goddess Durga's blessings for their children's welfare.

At the break of dawn, the festivities began at the Bengali Club with a Mahishasuramardini Strotam. Rituals including Shashthyadi Kalparambha Puja, Amantran and Adhivas were held at puja pandals. The day also marked the ghatasthapana (invocation of the Goddess).

At Ramakrishna Math, Mangal Arati was held at 4:30 am followed by the Shashthyadi Kalparambha, Vedic chanting and worship in the Durga Mandap. President Swami Muktinathananda delivered an online teaching on 'The Living Durga - Sri Ma Sarada', saying the Ho...