Away from rush at ghats & ponds, high-rise residents celebrate Chhath on hsg premises
Times of India | 9 November 2024
Kolkata: A number of Chhath devotees in Kolkata and New Town worshipped the sun god and celebrated the festival at their housing complexes amidst music and merriment, away from the crowd at the Hooghly and other water bodies.
"We converted our mini swimming pool into a water body for Chhath devotees to offer ‘arghya' since Covid times. Over the years, the number of Vratis and other participants only increased. It is safe and more comfortable, and the entire complex celebrates together," said Sameer Sharma of New Town Heights.
TOI wrote on Thursday how housing societies across the city were facilitating Chhath celebrations on their premises by creating temporary water bodies, decorating the premises and arranging for refreshment stalls with music, enabling residents to observe traditions safely.
"When we first started converting an existing water body within the complex into a spot to offer ‘arghya' and conduct the puja rituals during Covid, we had a limited number of devotees. But over the years, many people who earlier used to head to Babughat and Rabindra Sarobar have started using the water body here. Additionally, people who traditionally returned to their family homes in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh or Jharkhand now prefer to remain in the city. Several residents even encourage their family members to visit them, assuring improved amenities and conveniences," said Manoj Gupta of South City.
Deepak Agarwal of Diamond City West said the biggest problem in any public water body is crowding. "Previously, following tradition, families would dispatch their children before dawn and dusk, carrying sugarcane and coconuts to secure prime locations at the waterfront. Despite these early efforts, many would still discover that desirable spots were already claimed. However, since relocating the puja ceremonies on our premises, the process has become more structured, allowing all residents to participate with ease and comfort," said Agarwal, a member of the RWA.
At Purti Flowers in Maheshtala, the RWA made an artificial water body within the compound and arranged for decorative lighting throughout the area, apart from playing light music. "There were around 150 devotees. Once the celebrations concluded, we disposed of all waste in an environmentally responsible manner. The makeshift water body will also be dismantled," said Om Prakash Agarwal, president of the RWA.