Durga Puja shifts to Vastrapur, revellers nostalgic

AHMEDABAD: If it is Durga Puja, the Navrangpura pandal has been a must-visit spot for every devotee and food-lover alike. But, not any more. After two decades, Ahmedabad's most famous puja has shifted to the western part of the city, leaving many nostalgic. While puja organisers say that construction work by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) at the spot has led to this move, the civic body points out that there is enough space for the puja to be held.The puja will now take place at a ground in Vastrapur. "We had to let go of the place as a reservoir is being constructed there. But, we are happy we could find a good location," says Shombhunath Chatterjee, president of Bengali Cultural Association (BCA), that organises the puja at Navrangpura.
"The event has been growing every year. The new place is bigger and will accommodate more devotees and revellers. It is also closer to a large diaspora of Bengalis who have shifted to places like Vastrapur, Satellite, Gurukul and even Bopal," says Kanak Adhikari, general secretary of BCA.
The attachment to earlier venue, however, is hard to forget for many. "The place (Navrangpura) is close to my heart. I hope the new place will have the same vibes, that was an integral part of the puja at Navrangpura," says Suparna Chakroborty, an enthusiastic behind-the-scenes worker at the Puja.
"Even if the new place is at a walking distance from my home, I will still miss Navrangpura. But, I am sure we will adapt to the changes soon," says Putul Bose.
For devotees like Anita Rakshit, who has been associated with the puja for over 30 years now, the obeisance and celebration are above everything. "It is natural that we will feel sad. But, it does not matter where the puja goes, I will travel the distance to worship Ma," she says.
Though Aryamitra Bannerji-Chatterjee , another Durga Puja enthusiast, was a little disheartened at the beginning, he is getting ready as the day nears.
"I felt bad when I heard that the puja was shifting. But, I realised that the new place has its own advantages. Closer to home and bigger, it is definitely a positive step for the future," he says. AMC, however, says the construction work does not come in the way of the puja. "Construction work for a tube well station is on at one side of the venue. But there is enough space available for Durga puja celebrations there," says AMC's deputy city engineer for west zone PD Sutriya.