Unique pandals to house the goddess

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An artist gives last minute touches to the idol of Maa Durga

With a slight nip in the air and the fragrance of seasonal flowers, the city has ushered in the much-awaited festive autumn. While Navratra rituals are already underway, the sizeable Bengali population in the city is keenly awaiting the beginning of Durga Puja; that has become a way to bring together the community.

At the last count, Delhi NCR plays host to more than 300 pujas. We look at interesting themes for Puja this year and new initiatives taken up by youngsters in the city.
“In 2012, we mark the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and we have decided to pay ode to Swamiji. Our main mandap is a replica of Belur Math in West Bengal and we have also tried creating a Vivekananda rock memorial,” says Amit Roy, general secretary, B-block, CR Park Puja. This is not the only Puja in the NCR taking up this theme.
“We have tried to highlight the life of Swamiji for our younger generation through our Puja. Apart from recreating Belur Math in the precincts, we have an art gallery that has paintings and posters with powerful messages and quotes of Swamiji,” adds Ashok Guha, member of organising committee, Saptarishi Sangha, Noida, Sector 50.
This year is also the 125th birth anniversary of the famous painter, Jamini Roy, whose works reflect a strong influence of traditional art of Bengal. “This year, we have decided to bring alive the life of the famous painter. Our main gate will be similar to his house in Bankura and even our main mandap will have paintings by the artist on 600 shola (Indian cork) pieces,” says Tapan Roy, president, Milani Samiti Puja, Mayur Vihar.
As we are in the 100th year of Delhi becoming India’s capital, Bongotoru Sharodtsav being held in Shipra Suncity, Indirapuram, has decided to take it up as their theme this year. “Our main gate will resemble India Gate and the mandap will have photographs of Old Delhi. We will showcase the evolution of Delhi over 100 years,” says Somnath Sarkar, president, Bongotoru Sharodtsav.
Safdarjung Enclave’s Matri Mandir Puja will showcase India’s performance at the London Olympics this year. GK-II Durgotsav is taking up the cause of girl child. Pashchim Vihar Kali Bari is going to create their pandal in the form of dhaner gola (place for storing paddy in rural Bengal).
In addition to popular themes, youngsters are also doing their bit to create awareness about Pujas in the city. Numerous Facebook pages are dedicated to popular pujas in the city highlighting the major attractions on various days.
Sharodinfo, a site created by young IT professionals, documents the pujas chronologically through photographs. “Durga Puja is one festival that binds the Bengali diaspora. Through our site, we offer a window to highlight it to the younger generation,” smiles Shouvik, co-founder of the website.