Muted inaugurations, curtailed events at complex Ganesh Pujas
Times of India | 7 September 2024
12 Kolkata: From community dinners to cultural functions, housing complexes in Kolkata are geared up for Ganesh Puja celebrations on Saturday. Given the protests and the sombre mood across across the city over the rape-murder of a PGT doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the celebrations are “expected to be low-key”. Several community Ganesh Pujas have already scaled down celebrations, opting for simple inaugurations and curtailing cultural functions.
Greenwood Sonata in New Town has been celebrating Ganesh Puja for 16 years. While mornings will be dedicated for the puja rituals, ‘Mahaarti’ will be performed in the evening followed by distribution of ‘prasad’. Residents will be performing Ganesh Vandana, followed by Conch (Sankha) blowing competition and Best Ganesha (Go As You Like) competition for children. The day will end with community dinner on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi,” said Paramita Adhikari, a resident.
At Sunrise Heights in Beleghata, the puja will have several rituals including morning-evening arti, ‘bhog’ distribution and Satyanarayan Katha on Sept 7 and 8. “I have requested guests to plant a sapling in their terrace or balcony in honour of the rape-murder victim instead of bringing sweets for the Ganesh Puja,” said Akash Rohira who is organising the puja.
The Executive Palace Complex in Baguiati features a 13-foot replica of Adiyogi this year. “Our celebration this year is dedicated to the profound teachings of Adiyogi, honouring the divine bond between Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. We are organizing Ganesh Chaturthi over six days, from Sept 7th to 12th, culminating in a grand ‘Hawan’ before the ‘Visarjan’, where all the residents will distribute ‘bhog’ to more than 3,000 people outside our complex premises,” said Ankit Agarwal, secretary of the residents’ association of the housing complex.