Bangiyo Sanskriti Samsad has been celebrating Durga Puja at Congress Bhawan for 71 years
Bangiyo Sanskriti Samsad has been celebrating Durga Puja at Congress Bhawan for 71 years
It is the 71st anniversary for Greater Pune Sarbajanin Durgotsav 2010 that is organised by the Bangiyo Sanskriti Samsad at the Congress Bhavan.
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| Dispelling all evil: The Durga Puja at Congress house. pic/Nikhil Ghorpade |
Congress Bhawan starts celebrating Durga Puja from the fifth day of Navratri, which is known as Panchami. On the first day of their celebration, they organise a food festival called Anando Mela, which is arranged by the ladies of the Bhawan. They also conduct a general quiz contest on this day.
On the sixth day, which is known as Maha Sashthi, they have a formal inauguration followed by a cultural programme like a dance ballet. The Maha Saptami will be celebrated with Bengali songs by Uttam Paul and his troupe and is then followed by an orchestra performance.
On the eighth day, the Maha Ashtami they will have discussion with veteran film actress Madhabi Chakrovorty which will be followed by their own programme in memory of Rabindranath Tagore's Keboli Swapono and other novels, songs and dances directed by Arun Chatterjee. On the ninth day they have a musical night by Srijoni group. On the 10th day, the Bijoya Dasami they organise the closing ceremony which will be followed by a modern Bangla band performance.
Setting the mood"The first day of Devi Poksho is called the Mahalaya. All India Radio, Kolkata broadcasts Mahishasur Mardini and Chondi Path at 4 am every year. It is very popular among all Bengalis and from this point the Durga Puja ambience is created," said Sharmila Mazumdar, vice-president.u00a0
u00a0She further said: "We have the same idol maker every year for this festival. He comes from Kolkata and does not make an idol only for us but makes three to four more idols in the premise which enthuses us for festival preparations even more.
On Sasthi Tithi, the ghat sthapana and Bodhon happens. The Ashtami and Navami sandhikshan is a very auspicious moment and is called the Sandhi Pujo. This year it falls on October 15 and is a very special and elaborate puja festival.
Final dayDashami morning is the Darpan Visarjan followed by Devi Baron since Ma Durga is going back to her husband's house from her parent's house. Sindur, sweets and paan is offered to her. Blessings are taken from her and all other idols, the two sons and daughters of Goddess Durga, Kartik, Ganesh, Lakshmi, and Saraswati respectively.
After the immersion of the idol in the evening they come back to the pandal for Shanti Jol. They wish each other and take blessings from their elders. From Sasthi every day, the morning puja is followed by pushpanjali and distribution of prasad, which is followed by the afternoon bhog prasad. The puja in the evening is followed by aarti and dhoop and then by a dance form called the Dhunuchi Nritya.
They take special care to maintain hygiene, safety and security every year. The various food stalls they put up also add to the attraction.
(With inputs from Preeti Agarwal)
