Dashami, the last day of Durga Puja when Hindus bid farewell to the Goddess and greet each other Bijaya or victory ends with immersion of the idols of goddess Durga in water bodies. The organisers even wrote to the Guinness World Records, requesting it to recognise the statue as the world’s tallest Durga idol (between 80 feet and 100 feet).West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the puja festivities at the pandal on Saturday. In fact the amount was so little, that in 2007 the puja organisers made a decision to just pay for the celebrations from their own pocket.
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In partnership with Pratyay Gender Trust, a local transgender association this time the club has an idol designed after “Ardhanarishvara”. Likewise the historic family pujas of Gangacharan Bhattacharya of Kolibari, Gangaram Das of Tol Gereki area, the 72-year-old Durga Puja of noted freedom fighter Mohadev Sharma (who started the puja inside Tezpur Jail during the Quit India Movement when he was jailed), the 48-year-old Durga Puja of Iswar Prashad Chowdhury at Ganeshghat have been trying to attract the people of the town with unique decorations. However, puja committees must ensure that there is enough space for entry and exit in the pandals. The committee’s puja idol is fashioned after “Ardhanarishvara’, or half man and half woman – an androgynous form of Shiva and Parvati”.
The idol was crafted by China Pal, who is known as the only woman artist of the Kumortuli region.
He said the percentage increase in peak demand for power has come down despite an increase in temporary power connections to 3,780 puja pandals. Naskar approached the puja committee and asked if they would be interested in including the transgender community and planning the puja celebration together.
Rajib Bajpayee, one of the Udyani Yubak members said, “The response has been overwhelming. We are conscious how sites of worship and associated rituals have Brahminical associations and are a site for misogyny and prejudice”.
A spokesman for the organisers stated two-three individuals had been injured.
The first thing everyone is asked when they walk into the Durga Puja festival is, “Have you eaten?”
“We are using both bamboo and jute to make the Pandal attractive this time”, said Gopal Das, general secretary of RR Colony Durga Puja celebration committee. In the said puja pandal, cultural icons Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha and the legendary bard Dr Bhupen Hazarika will have their due place of honour.
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This year’s Durga Puja pandals are stressing on themes that explore subjects ranging from India’s rich heritage to more contemporary women’s empowerment, aided by digital 3D mapping technology.
