After Bappa, city awaits his mother

After bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha, Puneites are gearing up for the upcoming festival, Navratri. For Bengalis especially, the festival is a time to celebrate victory over the evil and like every year they have already started the preparations well in advance.

The Bangiya Sanskriti Samsad began its preparations a month ago by conducting various competitions over the weekends.
Earlier this month, a card-making competition was organised, which saw about 50 children participating in it.

“All these cards, will be sold at the Samiti’s Durga Puja mandal, which is popularly known as the Congress Bhavan Puja Mandal. The money thus collected will be donated to philanthropic organisations,” said Amit Mazumdar, chairperson of the 74-year old organisation.

On October 1, the organisation will be conducting a first-of-it’s-kind function called Sraddha Spadeshu, where the current members of the organisation will be paying respect to all those who played an important role in making the organisation, what it is today.

“The current generation needs to know the history of the organisation and hence this function,” said Mazumdar.
The most interesting feature of the puja this year, is the live dance enactment and recitation of the Sanskrit verses of the Mahalaya, marking the beginning of the Puja.

“Usually, the festival begins with us watching the Mahalaya or listening to it being recited on the All India Radio. But, this time all there will be a live performance at Bhosalenagar on October 6, from 6 am to 8 am in the morning,” he added.

The full-fledged celebrations will begin on Panchami (October 9) until Navami, with various competitions like Ullodhoni, conch-blowing, drawing, fun quizzes and dhunochi-dance among others. Besides, there will be theatre and dance performances by people across all age groups. The most exciting event of the festival is the Anondomela, which has committee members cook Bengali delicacies and serve them at food stalls.

Apart from the Congress Bhavan Puja, the festival is also celebrated in Salunke Vihar, Vimmannagar, Dhanowrie Road, Hadapsar, Koregaon Park and Kalyaninagar among others.

Days of joy
Mahashashti: October 10
Mahasaptami: October 11
Mahaashtami: October 12
Mahanavami: October 13
Mahadashmi: October 14