Kolkata, Sep 25 (Inditop.com) Leaving behind the dark shadow cast by the global economic meltdown, the destruction caused by cyclone Aila and the swine flu epidemic, West Bengal was in top celebratory gear on Mahasaptami Friday, the first day of the Durga Puja festival.
Durga Puja, the four-day autumn carnival of the Bengalis, is being held with great enthusiasm at giant puja pandals (marquees) with innovative illuminations all over the state. A surge of humanity is flocking to savour the best of Bngali craftsmanship, culture and cuisine.
The state has thousands of pandals where people cutting across age and social barriers gather to celebrate. Many, of course, take it as an occasion to reunite with friends and family.
The state capital itself has around 1,300 community puja pandals. Security arrangements have been stepped up throughout the state for Durga Puja.
Apart from the community pujas, the goddess is worshipped in a large number of families which have been holding the puja for generations. Some of these traditional pujas are star attractions of the city. Among them are the pujas at the houses of erstwhile jamindar families of Rani Rashmoni, Saborno Chowdhury and others.
Traditional pujas usually have medium sized idols within one frame (Ek chala) and are decorated with pith.
The idols reflect the creativity of the potters of the Kumartuli – the colony of artisans where all the idols are made.
In one such community puja – Adi Ballygunge – where the club is celebrating its diamond jubilee, the idol is decorated with scintillating American diamonds.
In a puja in Kalighat, the idol is crafted after the famous painting of Jamini Roy ‘Ganesh Janini’ (Mother of Lord Ganesh).
A marquee made like a tailor bird’s nest is housing a small idol in a city community puja.
Durga Puja, that starts Friday, would end Sep 28 with the immersion of Goddess Durga idols in rivers and other water bodies.
Though Kolkata — and the state too — is experiencing occasional showers, these do not dampen the joyous spirit of the puja revelers who wait throughout the year to celebrate this festival.
The day so far has been peaceful. “There has been no untoward incident till now,” a police official told Inditop.
Since Friday morning, the banks of the Ganga river were crowded as people went to bathe banana plant which is the symbolic consort of Lord Ganesh, son of Goddess Durga and God Shiva.
