PUJA COMMITTEE TAKES INITIATIVES TO HAVE AN ENVIRONMENT FESTIVAL

Now News Network || Thursday || Khan Nagar

Puja Committee have taken several initiatives to have an environment festival this year. using organic and herbal colors to paint the Idols is something many festival organizers have done.

Idol was erected by Puja Mandap own priests. Starting from straw binding to painting with organic colors and ensure a zero waste approach while maintaining tradition. Many of the Puja Mandaps are use turmeric, khadi, ritha, leaves for paint the idols this year.

Talking with  Khannagar Puja Committee, they have taken steps to address the environment damage caused by pujas. 'A Huge Replica of A Mountain in Sikkim' has been erected with plaster of paris material. Actual trees have been planted at the gate to spread the message that 'We Are Against Pollution'. We also ask to devotees not to carry plastic bags.

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DURGA PUJA PANDAL HELPS THE BLIND TO SEE? INSTALLATION IN KOLKATA MADE OF THREADS AND NAILS FOR VISUALLY-IMPAIRED PEOPLE

Now News Network || Thursday || Firstpost

Durga Puja is not just about fun and festivities, it is an occasion that binds people from all sections of the society and gives them a chance to partake in the celebrations in an all-inclusive environment.

Taking this spirit of oneness a step ahead, a puja committee in the southern part of the city has dedicated its 73rd-year celebrations to the visually impaired people and placed an appeal for eye donation.

At the path leading to Samaj Sebi Sangha Pandal, in Ballygunje area, a huge installation of Durga, made with over 20,000 screws, welcomes visually challenged visitors, giving them a chance to touch and feel the facade.

The panels on the two sides of the pandal are also adorned with Braille inscriptions of Durga mantra and shlokas, amid thread and bamboo work. The entrance gate to the pandal has been embellished with a huge visage, the eyes of which are covered with palms.

A special audio presentation, with Tollywood superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee's voice-over, has also been put together for the occasion. Unlike most pandals that ask viewers to maintain distance from the artefacts inside the pandal, Samaj Sebi has been encouraging people to feel the display of thread and bamboo work, one of the organizers said.

The volunteers have also collaborated with a social organization for the eye donation camp, she added. "We are receiving good response from people for the eye donation initiative. We hope to get more support over the next two days," she added.

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At another pandal, around 3 km from Samaj Seb Sangha, a special counter has been set up with wheelchairs and stretchers for the aged and differently abled devotees. The volunteers at Bhowanipore 75 Palli have ensured that people with disabilities or challenges do not miss out on the experience, Subir Das, one of the organizers, said.

"There is a medical camp and an ambulance outside the pandal. Differently abled visitors and pregnant women do not require any card of pass to use the VIP entrance. Our volunteers have been assisting them," he added.

Wednesday marks the eighth day (Ashtami) of Durga Puja festival. The devotees worship Goddess Durga's weapons and perform a grand aarti (ritual with camphor-lit lamps) amid dhaak (drum) beats and dhunuchi (earthen pot with burning coconut husk) dance.

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PADMAAVAT RETURNS AS DURGA PUJA THEME IN PANDALS : KOLKATA

Now News Network || Monday || Kolkata

The Chittorgarh Fort as seen in the period film 'Padmaavat' has been recreated by two crowd-pulling Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata.

Both the Sribhumi Sporting Club and the Md Ali Park puja committees modeled their pandals on the famous fort of Rajasthan, but the idea behind it was different, officials of the two organizations said.

Here's more.

Details: The controversial film 'Padmaavat' had a smooth run in WB

When anti-Padmaavat protesters threatened to stall the film's release all over the country in January, the filmmakers were assured of security by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the film had a smooth run across West Bengal, Sujit Bose, Sribhumi Sporting Club President and an MLA said.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film's sets also were damaged more than once during its making.

Theme: 'Padmaavat' theme selected to show WB stands for tolerance, peace

"The theme was chosen to deliver the message that Bengal stands for tolerance and peace," Bose said.

The setting of a song sequence in 'Padmaavat' in the backdrop of Chittorgarh Fort was recreated at Sribhumi pandal. The Puja was inaugurated by CM Banerjee before Mahalaya.

The MD Ali Park puja committee created a small replica of the entire fort in its golden jubilee year.

The Pandal: Wanted to remind people about history: Puja committee secretary

"We wanted to remind the people about that history," Md Ali Park puja committee secretary Ashok Ojha said.

Models inside the pandal donned the costumes worn by the film characters.

On 'Padmaavat' being the theme of two puja committees in the same year, Ojha said, "This is a coincidence. The purpose of all puja committees is to introduce people to artworks, enjoy Puja festivities."

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