KOLKATA, Sept. 14 -- If you thought only Durga Puja had themes, you should visit some of the Ganesh Puja pandals in Kolkata and its outskirts this year. After the change in power in Bengal, this is the first Ganesh Chaturthi under the new regime, and the themes on display clearly reflect the political shift.
From Akal Bodhan to pandals shaped like Lord Hanuman and political themes such as Parivartan: Towards a Developed Bengal, Ganesh Puja under BJP rule for the first time mirrors the change in power.
Much like several Durga Pujas this year, Ganesh Puja, too, has embraced the Akal Bodhan theme. At Bansdroni Subodh Park, a 13-foot idol has been installed with Akal Bodhan as the central theme. In Maniktala, the Ganesh Puja pandal has been built in the form of a 55-foot-tall Hanuman. In the Kudghat area, a pandal depicts the lives and struggles of fishermen.
Meanwhile, the Executive Palace Apartment Owners Association at VIP Road, Baguiati, has chosen the theme 'Parivartan - Towards a Developed Bengal', a theme aligned with the BJP government.
The highlight of this year's celebration is an elaborate artistic installation conceptualised by renowned artist Mintu Pal. The installation features an 11-foot-tall Lord Ganesha, symbolising wisdom, responsibility, visionary leadership and good governance. Above the 10-foot Lord Ganesha are six hands, artistically representing the key pillars of a developed Bengal.
Adding another dimension to the presentation, the Association has created a 10 ft x 10 ft 3D wall installation showcasing key development initiatives and the transformation envisioned for Bengal before and after May 4, highlighting the development journey under the BJP in Bengal.
Ganesh Puja has grown across Kolkata in recent years, spreading from Burrabazar and Posta to neighbourhoods across the city. Kumartuli artisans said demand for Ganesh idols has risen by 15-20 per cent.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.