Dwarka: With the Durga puja festivities in the air, sector 4 in Dwarka is surrounded by pandals all around. After a wait of two long years, it is difficult to choose where to start the pandal hopping this season. Well, you can ask your google maps to take you straight to Aikotaan Durga puja park near the PNB apartment for this pandal is going to be special.
From decorative pieces to tents, everything is prepared here from scratch setting it apart from all other pandals. When we arrived, the park was surrounded by workers. Some were stitching clothes whereas some were giving shapes to the cardboard pieces for decoration. These workers have especially come from Kolkota to create a wonderful pandal to welcome Maa Durga. Preparations are almost on the verge of completion.
As gathered by organizers, this year, Durga idol will have a height of 10ft with a 'Sholar Saaj' (White dress decoration). Durga idol will arrive at the pandal on the night of September 29 with a Dhaki (dhol) alongside throughout the way! The 'Dhaki' will come from West Bengal itself. Although no theme is being followed, the interesting part of the decoration is it will all be custom-made with clothes.
Along with seeking blessings of Durga maa, Dwarkites will engage in cultural events here. Amitabh Bose, vice president and founding member of Aikotaan KaliBari O Seva Samiti informs that more than 100 participants from Dwarka will display their talent here in different cultural programs such as singing, dance and drama. Moreover, Saregamapa fame singers Jimut Roy and Anesha Dutta will perform in Aikotaan on the 'Navami'.
He adds that there will be a 'Dhunuchi Naach' every evening including a grand performance on Navami. Moreover, medical counters will be placed near the main gate which will provide free check-up consultations to the visitors.
Along with the beautiful decoration, there will be arrangements for 'Bhog' for around 3-4k people every day. Sitting arrangements are being done for senior citizens in the pandal. A chef is arriving from Oddisa to prepare the special 'bhog' of 'Kichudi and Payesh (Kheer/ Pudding).'
In conversation with Amitabh, we got to know that this year's 'Sindoor Khela' which would take on Dussehra morning at 9 am is going to be very special. Ladies will wear traditional Bengali saree and one Bengali song 'Tapa Tini'.
As it turns out, the park that we see today looked nothing like this before September 7, 2022. The committee member of Aikotaan inform that were long dense bushes with water lodging when they took charge on September 7, 2022. Amitabh says, "We cleaned the field but because of the rain it got all messed up and we have to double the work. There were many bottlenecks in this year's puja."
This year, Singers from Anandamoyee Mental Disability and Handicapped Society Kolkota will also perform. Amitabh says, "These physically challenged people are lovely singers. We have invited them for a special performance in Aikotaan to help promote their talent."
As a large gathering is being expected, special security arrangements have been made. Shankarnath Mukherjee, General Secretary of Aikotaan Kalibari O Seva Samiti informs that a private security agency has been given the responsibility of ensuring security. 15 to 20 cameras have been set up around the pandal. No plastic will be allowed inside the boundaries of the pandal.
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