Durga pooja fever grips Bengaluru

Decked up with thematic pandals and variety of installations in their localities, migrant communities across the city are all set to celebrate Navaratri festival.

Stepping into the sixth day of the 10-day long festival, various Bengali associations across Bengaluru will officially kick-start the Durga Pooja celebrations.

Beckoning the people, associations have decorated Durga pooja pandals with varied themes ranging from celebrating the power of women to showcase space adventures with aliens.

The Bengali in Bengaluru (BinB) known to host South Bengaluru’s largest open-air Durgotsav has lined up special attractions.

“We are celebrating the mighty Durga in every woman. Cutouts of women achievers like gymnast Dipa Karmakar, athlete Swapna Barman and others will be a major attraction,” revealed Rajib Kundu, President of BinB.

Similarly, the Jayamahal Sarbojanin Durgotsava has set up its pandal on the theme of spaceship and aliens.

“The poojas will start from Shasti (sixth) day coinciding on Saturday with the installation of the statue of Durga maa. There will be a variety of competitions for women and kids. Artists from Kolkata Arts College have been invited to build the pandal,” said Bijon Mazumdar.

Debaprita Upadhay of Bengali Association of Bengaluru said: “Our theme for this year pooja is on ‘Kolkata Kalyan’ celebrating the culture and age-old traditions of Kolkata including Victoria Memorial, hand-pulled rickshaw, tanga. Our celebrations are hailed as the biggest Durga Pooja event in Karnataka.”

While the Bengalis and Assamese in Bengaluru will be an integral part of the festivals in various parts, the associations have chalked out special plans to involve the local population facilitating the exchange of cultures.

“Durga pooja is common to both Karnataka and West Bengal. However, tradition and rituals will be different,” Rajib Kundu said.

Where it is celebrated

Bengalis in Bengaluru at Aicoboo Grounds, BTM 1 Stage.

Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association at VSR Convention Hall, Brookefield.

Bengali Association of Bangalore at Manpho Convention Centre, Manyata Tech Park.