By IANS,
Ranchi: Arms like AK-47 and Insas and not goddess Durga idols are worshipped at the Jharkhand Armed Police ground here during Navratri – an auspicious period for the Hindus.
There is a myth that idol worship in the ground invited the wrath of Goddess Durga.
Kalash Sthapana is done on the first day of Navratri and arms are placed and worshipped. But idol worship is not done.
On the ninth day of the auspicious Hindu period which is Saturday this time, the security personnel of the Jharkhand Armed Police sacrifice goats to appease goddess Durga.
The security personnel pray to the goddess for their safety and to get power to fight enemies.
“We worship weapons so that the goddess gives us power to fight enemies and ensure our safety at all times,” said Karan Thapa, a JAP personnel.
Arms are worshipped in the ground for the last over 70 years. When Bihar was undivided, the forces were known as Bihar Military Police and after the formation of Jharkhand in 2000 they were renamed JAP.
The majority of personnel in it belong to Nepali communities.