KOLKATA, July 6 -- It seems the Ramayana is not only the preferred subject on the big screen (the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer would hit theatres soon) but also for this year's Durga Puja themes. Yes, you read that right. After Alipore Sarbojanin Durgotsav unveiled its theme for its 81st year, Ramayana: An epic woven in time, the organisers of Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity also unveiled the theme for their 91st Durga Puja celebrations.
This year's theme, 'Akal Bodhon,' draws inspiration from one of the most significant episodes of the Ramayana, symbolising the untimely invocation of Goddess Durga by Lord Rama before his battle against Ravana.
Interestingly, the Chorebagan puja committee also unveiled a wall mural depicting PM Narendra Modi performing aarti. The artwork signifies the Prime Minister's recent visit to Thanthania Kali Bari. However, the mural did not go down well with several netizens from Kolkata, who urged the Bengal government to keep politics away from Durga Puja.
The 'khunti puja' of Chorebagan on Sunday was a star-studded affair, with several BJP leaders, including Locket Chatterjee and Koustav Bagchi, attending the ceremony. "With 'Akal Bodhon' as our theme this year, we aim to present a celebration that reflects devotion, heritage and the enduring values that unite our society," said Pradip Dey, President of Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity.
Pratyusha Banerjee, secretary of the committee, said she wants PM Narendra Modi to visit West Bengal during Durga Puja this year and perform aarti at one of the pandals.
"We have never seen him in Bengal during Durga Puja. Maybe, now that the BJP is in power in the state, we might get to see him here during the festivities," she said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.