Kolkata, Aug. 30 -- Allen Park on Park Street, synonymous with Christmas and New Year celebrations, will host a Durga Puja for the first time this year.
"Every year, the Park Street stretch turns into a human sea with dazzling lights from Christmas till the New Year, with people soaking in the festive spirit.
Durga Puja too draws thousands of visitors in Park Street as they queue up outside the restaurants to satiate their cravings for good food. However, this area somewhat misses out on the Durga Puja vibes. This year, we will fill that void by organising a grand Durga Puja involving the people of the locality," said Subrata Das of Kolkata Sanatani Sangha, which is organising the Durga Puja in Park Street. Noted artist Subrata Banerjee will be designing the pandal and the idol as Park Street will barge into the Durga Puja landscape of the City of Joy.
"Earlier, when Puja came, many people from this area would book tickets and travel outside Kolkata. This time, we hope they will stay back and soak in the festive fervour, " added Das.
The organisers are planning a full-fledged programme from Sasthi to Dashami, including cultural events every day. The celebrations are expected to feature artistes and performers, with the possibility of performances by actors from Mumbai also being explored.
A priest from Varanasi is expected to conduct the rituals. The traditional chanting of mantras will accompany Ashtami Anjali while Sindur khela will be held on Dashami. Artist Subrata Banerjee said the pandal and the idol would draw inspiration from traditional Sanatani ideas while giving them a distinctive artistic expression.
"We have discussed the concept with the committee. The attempt will be to respect traditional aesthetics while shaping both the pandal and the clay idol in a unique form," Banerjee said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.