Mumbai: Bombay Durga Bari Samiti is celebrating its 92nd Durga Puja this year. Pujas, along with all traditional ceremonies and rituals, such as ‘Pushpanjali’, ‘Aarti’, ‘Shondhi Puja’ and ‘Bhog’ will be conducted at the Indian Medical Association Hall, Haji Ali, and will be digitally broadcast to all devotees. Social media platforms Facebook and YouTube, keeping in mind the ongoing pandemic.
The organizers said it is going to be “a guest Durga Puja this time too”, and all events will be conducted as per the norms and guidelines set by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the central and state governments.
The committee has been organizing pujas since 1930, and this is only the second time that there will be a formal “ghot puja” instead of “idol worship” in view of the new normal.
“It is an ancient tradition. Ghot Puja means worshiping the Kalash, the symbol of the Goddess. There will be two Kalash symbolizing Mother Durga and each of her children,” the committee said in a statement.
The idol will be a three-dimensional clay and grass mural made by a Kolkata-based artisan.
“The fresco will be decorated with the traditional ‘Shola Peeth’, which is an eco-friendly and biodegradable material. From this everything will be made from Maa Durga’s sari to her cap. The statement quoting Paromita Banerjee and Dola Banerjee, joint coordinators of the idol committee, said the same theme would be followed with other deities – children of Maa Durga, Maa Saraswati, Maa Loki, Kartik and Ganesha.
“Theme is ‘Danuja Dalani Mahashakti’. Momo Anto Kalyanodatri’, which translates as ‘O Mother, Thou art’ Destroyer of demons. You are the giver of everlasting well being. We bow to you’, said Paromita Banerjee.
“We are celebrating Durga Puja in an eco-friendly manner and hope to continue it in the years to come. After all Durga Puja is a celebration of the victory of good over evil and one of the biggest challenges we face today is the ongoing pandemic and the threat to our world is now greater than ever,” said Mithali Poddar, Social & President Said Cultural Committee of Bombay Durga Bari Committee.
special cultural program
Poddar said the committee has always promoted the performing arts and artists from diverse backgrounds, and their programs reflect India’s cultural ethos.
A special highlight of this year’s cultural program was debutant young artist Adhiraj Choudhary, grandson of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan recipient Sitar player Pt. Debu Choudhary and son of Pt. Prateek Choudhary, who was also a famous sitar player.
Young Adhiraj lost both his grandfather and father to Covid earlier this year.
On the completion of 100 years of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray in the year 2021, the committee plans to host an exclusive interview with his son Sandeep Ray.
In addition, a special musical evening will be organized by Kolktaar Gaanwala, a concept fusion band from Kolkata.
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