From offering pushpanjali to Ma Durga, to glutting on flavorful bhog while pandal jumping, there is a great deal to do during Durga Puja consistently However, not this year.
With the COVID-19 episode, Pune’s Durga Puja affiliations have chosen to go for a little scope, close and virtual festival.
No enormous idols this year
While craftsmans are called to shape the large symbols of the goddess consistently, this year most pandals are going for the ghot pujo (Kalash puja). Some old boards may have littler symbols. Khadki Kali Bari will get a 12-inch high eco-accommodating Durga symbol, alongside a marginally greater fiber icon that they expect to use for following years as well. “But this year the rituals will be done with a smaller idol of the goddess and the immersion will also happen in a tank,” says Anup Dutta, general secretary, Khadki Kali Bari.
Pune’s most seasoned Durga Puja, Bangiya Sanskriti Samsad, that composes Durga puja in Congress Bhavan is moving their cozy festival to a club house in Bhosle Nagar. “Since we don’t have an icon this year, we don’t need the large space of Congress Bhavan. We will have ghot pujo for every one of the three days and just restricted individuals will be permitted. For the senior individuals and guests, the whole cycle will be streamed on the web,” says Sujata Paul, president, Bangiya Sanskriti Samsad, Bhosle Nagar.
Live spilling of rituals
Since everything over the most recent couple of months has gone virtual, Durga puja, as well, will turn online stages for darshan and aarti. “The priest will be doing a virtual ghot puja at his residence in Kolkata and that will be live streamed for all the members. Pushapanjali will be offered virtually as well. We cannot take the risk of physically doing the puja,” says Sandeep Munshi, VP, Paschim Pune Bangiya Parishad, Baner.
Oikyotan Bangiya Parishad Durga Puja, Pimple Saudagar, has arranged an exceptional specialized group that will be live streaming everything on different virtual stages. “Our committee has over 400 families and we don’t want anyone to miss Durga Puja. Hence, will be streaming each and everything on Zoom for members, and via Facebook live for non-members,” says Biswajit Saha, secretary, Oikyotan Bangiya Parishad Durga Puja.
Helping society artistes and associates
Sandeep and his board of trustees have additionally chosen to monetarily help all the sellers who have been related with them for quite a long time. “From the cooks and dhakis, to flower vendors and priests, we will be donating an amount between Rs 5000-Rs 15000 to these people who have been associated with us since long. If more people donate, we will increase the amount,” shares Sandeep.
While Sandeep’ council is broadening money related assistance, Khadki Kali Bari will give food grains. To people artistes, dhakis and so on. On comparative lines, Congress Bhavan as well, will support the artistes, neighborhood sellers and clerics by raising assets for their endurance.
Bhog will be home conveyed
This year eating bhog in a puja pandal with loved ones will be really missed. Yet, affiliations have thought of getting bhog conveyed to your entryway steps. “We have collaborated with caterers here and we are planning to get bhog delivered at your door step at a nominal price. We are also planning to get the daily prasad delivered to our members.,” says Biswajit.
Khadki Kaali baari is likewise arranging something along comparative lines. “We will be taking orders in advance and based on that we will create packages. Will it be home delivered or picked up by self, is something we haven’t decided yet. But it will surely not be served at the venue,” says Anup.
Virtual exhibitions
The five days of Durga puja is loaded up with a ton of diversion. Different artistes from Bengal come here and play out, a portion of the councils likewise get unmistakable artistes to perform, however this year the entirety of this is going virtual. Khadki Kaali Baari is holding a computerized challenge called the Voice of Pune. “It is a singing competition, which will be judged by prominent singer. The hunt has already begun, so let’s see who will win it,” says Anup.
Then again, Biswajit says that his board has just begun virtual occasions so as to brighten up all the individuals. “The times are really difficult and now that puja is not happening on a large scale, people are disheartened, so we thought this could be a good way to lift their mood. So, we have started various digital events of dance, music and drama, and the same will happen during all five days of Durga puja as well,” says Biswajit
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Daily Pune journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
