Kolkata, July 16 -- How many of us take a break from pandal hopping to visit a shopping mall during Durga Puja? This year, visitors can do both at the same place. For the first time, South City Mall will organise its own Durga Puja at the mall facade. On Thursday, the organisers unveiled the inaugural theme, 'Jatra', conceptualised by artist Subhankar Dutta.

Under a cloud-filled sky on Rath Yatra, Sreebhumi Sporting Club, one of Kolkata's most popular Durga Pujas, held its khunti puja amid much fanfare. Until last year, the puja was closely associated with former TMC MLA Sujit Bose. Over the years, Sreebhumi has drawn huge crowds with grand themes such as the Burj Khalifa, the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Jersey and Disneyland. Following the political change in Bengal, the puja committee has been reconstituted. This year's theme is Jaipur's iconic Hawa Mahal.

Kanak Debnath, president of the Sreebhumi Puja Committee, said that till 2025 it had largely been an "individual puja". "From 2026, this puja belongs to the Sreebhumi community. Community meals will be organised on all four days of Durga Puja," he said.

The 78-year-old College Square Durga Puja also performed its khunti puja on Thursday. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya attended the ceremony. Stressing that Durga Puja should remain above politics, Bhattacharya said MLAs of his party should participate in pujas in their respective constituencies but should not forcibly take control of committees with which they have no connection. "Taking over a festival in the name of politics is unacceptable and cannot go on. We must rise above this culture. We must keep puja out of politics," he told reporters.

Khunti puja was also held at the much-discussed Suruchi Sangha in New Alipore. Following the exit of the Biswas brothers from the committee, BJP MLA from Dum Dum North Sourav Sikdar has taken over as secretary. Although some local residents had expressed concerns over a politician heading the committee, the ceremony passed off without any hassle. "The VIP culture is over. This is a community puja," Sikdar said.

Another major south Kolkata puja, Bosepukur Sitala Mandir, celebrating its 77th year, also held its khunti puja on Thursday. This year's theme is 'Chup' (Silence). Hindusthan Club in Gariahat, celebrating its 64th year, also marked the beginning of its Durga Puja preparations with its khunti puja on Rath Yatra.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.