Pandals to keep puja fervour alive despite low-key celebrations

Although post-Covid puja celebrations are a marked departure from the pre-Covid grandeur, Bengali cultural associations are trying to keep the essence alive this year as well, albeit in a low-key manner. From thematic pandals to scrumptious bhog, here’s a peek into this year's puja celebrations in namma Bengaluru...

Proper guidelines from BBMP awaited
Although Bengali association members are going forward with low-key preparations, with many giving cultural programs a miss this year, they are awaiting proper guidelines from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Achintya Lal Roy, Convener of Bengaluru Durga Puja Committee, explains, “Although we are going ahead with utmost care and will be following all

Covid

guidelines and protocols at the venue, we are waiting to get clear directives from the BBMP to decide whether we can open the gates for everyone or only restrict it to members.”

Vaccination certificates, temperature checks & time slots for bhog
Rahul Dutta, member of Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust in Koramangala, tells us that there won’t be any stalls or cultural festivals this year. “We are following all precautions and it will be a members-only puja, where we have planned slot-based anjali and

takeaway bhog

,” he says.
Talking further about precautions being planned at his association, Arijit Chatterjee, Vice President, Barsha Bengali Association in HSR Layout, adds that they will be checking vaccination certificates of all members, followed by thermal screening before allowing anyone into the premises. “We have also arranged a slot-based anjali system (three slots a day) so that we avoid crowding. Members have to pre-book the slots and the number of bhog kits on an app developed by us,” he says.
Nabarun Purkayastha of the Bengaluru Sreehatta Sammelani (BSS) says that they are not restricting the celebrations to members only, but a vaccination certificate is a must for whoever wishes to enter their premises. “Visitors must first register on our website, after which we will allot time slots to them. Those who have registered will get an email notification which they will have to show at the location while entering,” he says.
Achintya Lal Roy, Convener of the Bengaluru Durga Puja Committee, says that they will also have slot-based anjali, but without any flowers, in accordance with Covid guidelines. “Limited number of people will be allowed into the venue after temperature checks and sanitisation. Masks and Aarogya Setu app are compulsory for everyone. Members and volunteers involved in the puja are required to have a RT-PCR negative certificate as well,” he says.
Interesting themes to keep festive fervour alive
The Barsha Bengali Association is trying to keep the festive fervour alive with an interesting theme. Termed ‘Where Rural Bengal meets Rural Karnataka’, the organisers have set this year’s theme around the cultural marvels of Karnataka and West Bengal. “The puja pandal will see a grand display of Karnataka-style art and architecture blending in with cultural elements of West Bengal. From roof tiles inspired by Karnataka’s architecture style to kulo inspired by Bengal’s tradition, this year’s puja will showcase the customs of both the states,” says Arijit.
The theme at the Harmony Cultural Welfare Association in Jakkur is going to be that of a village. “We will show how Durga Puja is performed in remote villages in West Bengal. The artwork is completely DIY, made with objects of regular use. Most of the decor will be done using jute, and farming and cultivation tools will adorn the walls,” says Mayukh Patra from the association. At the BSS puja pandal, the theme is inspired by the Belur Math.

Cultural events go online
While there won’t be any in-person cultural events, the associations are taking them online. “Cultural events and contests will be conducted online and can be viewed on our website and social media group. We will also be streaming a live
performance of

Surma Dohar

, a Bengali folk band from Kolkataon navami evening,” says Nabarun.