For the occasion, organizers of the Saigon Durgotsav, have brought over a huge statue of the ten-armed goddess seated on a lion, resplendent in royal red cloth and ornaments.

The Namarari (meaning nine nights) festival celebrates the slaying of a demon Mahishasura, who had acquired near invincible powers through severe penance. Durga’s victory over the demon symbolizes the struggle with inner demons within the human soul.

The most important day of the festival, called Vijayadashmi, falls today, when three manifestations of the goddess - Durga as strength, Lakshmi, as the giver of wealth and prosperity and Saraswathi as the embodiment of knowledge are worshipped.

Saigon Durgotsav is being organised for the second time in the city at the Ashoka II restaurant in District 2. —VNS