Editorial photo #12812359 Religion and Belief
Monks Of Belur Math Celebrate Kumari Puja In India
Priests of the Ramakrishna Mission worship a living goddess 'Kumari' in front of a clay image of the Hindu goddess Durga during a ritual at Belur Math, about 25 kilometers (16 miles) north of Kolkata, India, on September 30, 2025. A girl between 5 to 10 years of age is worshipped as Kumari or living goddess during Durga Puja, a five-day festival dedicated to the Goddess Durga, which ends with the immersion of the clay idols on October 2. Durga Puja is first celebrated at Belur Math in 1901, initiated by Swami Vivekananda, who introduces the worship of Mother Durga in an image, breaking from the previous practice of simple chanting by Sri Ramakrishna's disciples. (Photo by Debajyoti Chakraborty/NurPhoto)
