The six-day celebration began with Mahalaya and will conclude with Vijayadashami. ​
Gigantic theme based pandals, decorated gates and arches, magnificent Ma Durga idols, music dance extravaganza, mouthwatering delicacies and artists from all parts of the country, all this is a treat on offer for the residents of Gurugram this Durga Puja.
The six-day celebration began with Mahalaya and will conclude with Vijayadashami. Though a traditional Bengali festival, its celebration is no longer confined to Bengali community with people of other communities and religious sects partaking in the celebration with the gaiety that was once associated with Bangla tradition.
Various socio-cultural organisation of Bengali community of the millennium city are celebrating the festival with pomp and glory.
At Sushant Lok Durga Puja, it’s all about women empowerment
Celebrating its 20th year, Sushant Lok Durga Puja Committee erected a Durga Puja pandal, which is so magnificent that it has become an instant draw for most of the devotees in the entire area.
Drawing visitors from all communities every year, the venue of the Durga Puja celebration records a large footfall. This year too they are celebrating the festival with pomp and grandeur at the community center of Sushant Lok Phase-1. And the best part this year is that the festival is organised solely by women members of the committee for the first time.
Ankita Sanyal, media spokesperson, Sushant Lok Durga Puja Committee, said, “This year, the theme is Rajbari and it is special to us as all the preparation for the puja was made by the women members of the committee. We have organised Mrs. Tillotama contest to celebrate womanhood and recognise the strength and vigour of the modern-day women.”
Besides, cultural activities like Anando Mela, Garbha Night, food stalls were an added attraction for the Puja.
“The celebration witnessed a footfall of almost 50,000 to 60,000 during the festivity. We serve bhog (feast) for all during lunch every day during the puja. The puja will conclude on Dashmi with Sindoor Khela to bid farewell to Maa Durga,” she added.
Celebrating Puja, the eco- friendly way
Bangiya Parishad Gurgaon is celebrating Durga Puja in Sector 56 in an eco-friendly way. The puja pandal is inspired by Kedarnath temple and the Durga idol represented the handicraft look. From decoration to prasad distribution, everything was done in an eco-friendly manner.
During the puja, the committee sought to create awareness among people through flash mob dance to make the puja premises a no-plastic zone.
A joint puja committee (JPC) was formed to immerse the idol in an eco-friendly manner rather than immersing it in rivers and natural ponds. “Around 23 puja committees from the city took a pledge to keep the environment clean by immersing the idols in four manmade ponds dug up in Sector 56 especially for the purpose,” said Atin Chatterjee, one of the leading members of JPC and the founder member of Bangiya Parishad Gurgaon.
They will first perform puja of the pond and then immerse Durga idol.
“These pits, to be filled with water up to 6 feet, measure 30X30X8 feet deep. Arrangement for disposing compostable items such as garlands, flowers and earthen pots have also been made by the JPC,” he added.
As for cultural programmes on the occasion, live performances, dance, drama, songs, competitions and other fun activities are oragnised daily during the celebration to add fun quotient to the festivities.
