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Maha Saptami marks the beginning of Durga puja and the most important ritual of Saptami puja is the bathing ceremony of Navapatrika. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
Plants of Banana, pomegranate, turmeric, jayanti, ashoke, bel, arum plant, colacassia and paddy are tied together and worshiped with sacred chants. (Source: Express photo by by Partha Paul)
Women ululates as she holds a banana tree trunk after taking a dip in the waters of the Ganges river during a ritual as part of the Saptami Puja. (Source: REUTERS)
The nine plants is a symbol of the eternal victory of Devi Durga over Mahisasura. (Source: AP Photo)
After the holy bath, the nine plants are tied together and taken back home for Maha Ashtami puja. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
Married women perform rituals with the sacred banana plant on the bank of river Ganga, on the day of Maha Saptami during Durga Puja festival in Kolkata. (Source: PTI Photo)
Ranchi: Gorkha devotees dance during ''Phool Pati'' procession on the seventh day of Navratri festival at Jharkhand Armed Temple (JAP) temple, in Ranchi. (Source: PTI Photo)
There is a ritual where Bengali women blow conches in front of Goddess Durga idol after evening puja (Source: PTI photo)
Devotees perform rituals on Saptami , traditionally call 'Kola bou snan'on the bank of River Ganga in Kolkata. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
(Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
A devotee takes selfie after perform rituals on Saptami in Kolkata. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
Saptami puja being done at College square, in central Kolkata. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
