Durga Puja in Kolkata is more about grandeur and creativity than rituals. This time, a Maa Durga idol adorned in a golden designer saree at a pandal in Baguiati, Kolkata.
“The price of a saree in which six grams of gold has been used is ₹1.5 lakh. The eyes of the idol are also made of more than 10 grams of gold,” Kartik Ghosh, an organizer was quoted as saying by the news agency. ANI.
The West Bengal government has also issued guidelines for Durga Puja celebrations in the state.
“This year the Puja is being organized and celebrated in the midst of this unprecedented pandemic. It calls for proper and adequate health safeguards for the citizens. The Puja committees have to establish health and safety norms for themselves and for the participants and visitors. Must ensure,” the guidelines issued by the state government note.
As per the advisory, pandals should be spacious and open from all sides, with separate entry-exit points. If in case, it becomes necessary to have a closed roof, the sides should be kept open. The pandals should have adequate space and arrangement to ensure physical distancing in the context of the extant COVID-19 pandemic norms. Meetings and overcrowding should be avoided everywhere. Floor markings and other signs should be made at entry and exit routes and assembly points to ensure compliance with physical distancing norms.
Masks and hand sanitisers will be mandatory for all visitors to the pandals.
Keeping in view the health safety of the participants and the organisers, religious activities like “Anjali, Prasad Bitran or Sindoor Khela” should be organized by the Puja Committees in a planned manner and in small groups as far as possible with different timings. Together should be held at different times. Way.
It has been said in the guidelines that priests should use microphones to chant mantras so that the sound reaches the devotees standing far and wide and people do not have to gather in small places. Devotees may be encouraged to offer “Anjali with flowers” brought from homes, so that flower collection points in pandals do not become overcrowded.
No cultural program will be allowed in/near the Puja Pandal premises.
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for physical distancing norms, as per the guidelines, the State Visarjan Carnival will not be held this year. Similarly, fairs and carnivals will not be allowed near puja pandals.
The festival of Navratri will be celebrated from October 7 to October 15.
with agency input
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