65th Katol Road Durga Puja Inaugurated With Grandeur

Nagpur: The 65th edition of Katol Road Durga Puja, organised by the Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee under the aegis of the Bengali Cultural Society, unfurled its spiritual and cultural splendour on Saturday evening with an auspicious inauguration that set the tone for five days of devotion and celebration.The ceremonial inauguration was graced by chief guest Rajeev Swarna, GM, SBI zonal office, main branch, who performed the inaugural rituals. The evening witnessed the presence of the committee's guiding forces — chief patron Ranjan Sahai, chief advisor Dipankar Som, president Vijay Ramani, general secretary Swapan Chakraborty, BCS president Tarit Chakraborty, secretary Salil Samanta, along with several senior members and well-wishers.Arpita Maity and Indrika Sengupta conducted the proceedings of the inaugural ceremony, while committee general secretary Swapan Chakraborty proposed a vote of thanks. Marking Maha Panchami, the inaugural evening blossomed with soulful cultural offerings. Renowned vocalist Sharmisthta Jha presented ‘Agomoni' and Rabindra Sangeet, invoking the Mother Goddess in her many forms. This was followed by ‘Nritya Samarpan: Vandana se Avatar', a graceful dance recital by Srishti and Shreya Roy from Geetanjali Cultural Institute. As the evening progressed, the grounds came alive with the rhythmic beats of Garba, inviting devotees and enthusiasts to join the colourful circle of dance and celebration.The coming days promise a kaleidoscope of performances. On Maha Sashti (September 28), acclaimed artist Shibaprasad Bhowmik and his troupe from Kolkata will enthral audiences. Maha Saptami (September 29) will resonate with melodies by Gouri Mitra, Satyajit Mukherjee, and Aviman Roy of Geetanjali Musical Group, Siliguri. Maha Ashtami (September 30) will showcase ‘Sanskriti aur Dharohar', an ensemble led by Madhumita Chuckerbutty, celebrating India's artistic legacy. The festivities will culminate on Maha Navami (October 1) with a grand musical presentation by the celebrated Swastika Thakur and her team.The Katol Road Puja has, over decades, grown into a cultural landmark of Nagpur, blending devotion with artistry and fostering a spirit of inclusivity. With elaborate arrangements in place, the committee anticipates thousands of devotees and art lovers to converge at the pandal, celebrating Maa Durga's divine presence in an atmosphere of joy, reverence, and togetherness.