This year’s much-awaited Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal, although a couple of months away, has preparations going on in full swing, with a lot of enthusiasm just like previous years. But, there is one thing that is going to be noticeably different this year. Read on to find out more. By Amitha Ameen
While uncertainty looms over every aspect of our lives thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, including West Bengal’s annual Durga Puja, a club in Kolkata has come up with an innovative way to put our worries to rest. Recently, a Durga Puja Club in Kolkata revealed a Durga idol during Khuti Puja, a customary ritual before the bamboo scaffolding is attached to the idol.
Why did this Durga idol catch people’s attention? Because of a few features that this idol showcased; it’s something people have never seen before. The idol was seen sporting a silver mask weighing more than four grams and carrying sanitizers in all 10 hands instead of the usual flowers and weapons.
This comes at a time when uncertainty has been looming over the annual five-day festival that is usually marked by the iconic pandal hopping, a plethora of cultural events and feasts fit for a king. Thanks to COVID-19, this year’s puja celebrations will most likely be a one-day affair in most places and will include a host of restrictions as well.
But this interesting and innovative Durga idol will be a great way of reiterating to the public, the importance of social distancing and personal hygiene during these uncertain times.
Kolkata is currently following two-day lockdowns every week until the end of August. The state has around 116,000 confirmed cases of the virus while 86,771 recoveries have been reported (as on August 18, 2020).
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