Nagpur: With the fear of the Covid pandemic looming, the vibrant festivities of Durga Puja have gone virtual this year. People are missing out on the essence of the festival that lies in flamboyant pandals, bhog, huge idols, creative decorations, food stalls and teeming crowds.
The Katol Road Puja, which entered its diamond jubilee year, is one of the biggest in town where citizens gather in large numbers for the revelry. Organized by Sarbajanin Durgotsava, under the aegis of Bengali Cultural Society, joint secretary Soumyendu Sarkar said the celebrations have been toned down amid the pandemic but the committee has stayed connected with visitors via live streaming ‘Anjali’ on Facebook.
He added, “It’s not just a religious festival, it’s a cultural extravaganza. This year we’re missing out on meeting so many people from different religions who used to visit our pandal, which was the highlight of this festival.”
The Durga Puja organized at Agrasen Bhavan by Paschim Nagpur Bangiya Samiti every year has shifted to a new venue at Vazalwar Hall near Traffic Park. President of the association Dr Bidhan Chandra Bag said they were strictly maintaining Covid protocols by allowing only 5 persons inside the pandal.
Speaking about how the celebrations are different in every way this year, he said, “Everyone visiting the pandal for darshan are bringing their own sanitizer and we have provided sanitizers at the gates as well. They are allowed to enter only after their temperature is checked and their names and contact details noted down. Citizens are not allowed to enter the area where puja is performed.”
Bag added, “As cultural activities are at the heart of the festival, they are being organized virtually. Everyone can watch the programme from the comfort and safety of their homes. Even Anjali and darshan are broadcast live through Facebook.” Committee secretary SP Mukherjee said that the pandal was sanitized in the morning and evening as per Covid guidelines.
TOI spoke to a number of citizens regarding the shift to virtual platforms and the emergence of this new normal. Sudeepta Bhadra said, “We can’t enjoy the great fervour of Durga Puja, but for the sake of our country and citizens, we are attending the live streams for darshan as it’s the need of the hour. It is a different kind of experience as we are missing out on pandal hopping, catching up with family and friends, bhog, new attires, Pushpanjali, etc. We hope the festivities are back with a bang next year and we are able to rejoice with greater enthusiasm.”
Tapshi Chatterjee said she was trying to recreate the festival vibes by planning tight-knit get-togethers with family. “Though we are not celebrating Durga Puja this year with the famous tradition of pandal-hopping, we are relishing our favourite delicacies like ghoogni, biryani, bhogal khichdi, etc with our families. We have either planned dinners at relatives’ places or going out with the whole group while taking all precautions and maintaining Covid guidelines. The shift to virtual platforms for darshan has made me realize festivities are not just enjoyed at pandals, we can have a merry time if we are surrounded by people important to us and who help us celebrate with same zeal,” she said.
Another devotee, Maitrayee Chakraborty, said, “I have attended puja virtually with my family this time and we cooked ‘bhog’ at our house and then distributed it to some people nearby. Usually ‘bhog’ is offered to the idols in huge pandals, and then distributed to devotees which will be missed by everyone this time. This year, the authenticity of the festival is lost as ‘Dhaki’, which is an important traditional instrument, was not played.”
Speaking about the downsides of witnessing the whole festival amid the pandemic, Aneesh Ganguly said, “There were strict orders that only organizers can be present inside the pandals while others can watch from a distance of 10 feet from the altar inside the pandal. There are a few drawbacks but we organized a puja at our house and I attended various puja virtually and nearby pandals as well. The deity worship process has become shorter this time and durga puja mishti is being missed.”
A student, Gunjan Saha, said, “We are obviously not celebrating like we do every year but committee that conducts our durga puja has done the Ghatsthapna in a small place where the pandit will follow all rituals as usual. They have used a small photo of Durga maa instead of the idol. The traditional bhog is being cooked by one family only. Our committee has not called the ‘Dhakis’ from Kolkata this time. This year there won't be the traditional ‘Dhunuchi naach’ for us which we usually do in a group and also individually on Ashtami. Just so that we don't miss out on the dance competition, we are participating in online contests in the traditional Bengali attire.”
Acknowledging the advantage of technology in staying connected during the festival, Sneha Paul said, “Being minimalistic is the mantra this year. We are not attending any puja physically, but praying at home itself. Live streaming is a saviour and we are making the most of it. The major difference is not being able to celebrate like earlier but technology has brought everyone together. We are playing online games and having competitions that are quite interesting.”
(With inputs by Anchal Bhatia and Janhavi Dave)