The Indian Cultural Association in Colombo in collaboration with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre is observing Maha Ashtami as part of Durga Puja celebrations in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo with religious fervour and gaiety. Earlier last week, the Indian community commenced the festivities of Navratri at Hotel Taj Samudra with a Dandiya night. Devotees thronged the Sri Manika Vinayagar Kovil in Colombo since morning, where a heavily adorned Pujo Pandal has been setup. <br />'' <br />'' Devotees offered obeisance and joined the morning Puja and Aarti on the occasion of the Maha Ashtami. Apart from the traditional Aarti and Puja, cultural performances like dance and drama on the theme of Durga Pujo were also performed today by members of the Indian Cultural Association. In addition, Balidan and Deepdan were also performed to the Goddess before the evening prayers which included Pushpanjali.<br />