Wish Town Durga Puja festival (20-24 October) was the convergence of culture, devotion, emotion, spectacularism, togetherness,vibrancy and a legacy of three years.
The Durga Puja festival was festooned with decorations, light displays and a puja pandal with idols of Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, God Kartikeya, God Ganesha and Mahishasura,the demon king.
The pandal with its design & theme was praiseworthy for its craftsmanship.The venue was converted to a fairyland with lights embellishing every nook and cranny, a dance floor for Dandiya, a stage for performances, stalls and a selfie point.
The festival commenced before dawn on Mahashashti with Bael varan and kalash yatra by women devotees.
Invocation of Goddess Durga into the idols happened on Maha Saptami with bathing of a banana tree.The banana tree was dressed like a bride and was used to transport the goddess energy.
Sanskrit mantras by priests echoed through the dawn air. Dunuchi Naach reflected the bliss of the occasion. Devotees danced to the Dhaak beats while holding the clay pot containing burning dried coconut skin, incense, and camphor.It was an emotional outpouring by the devotees.
The festival was planned by WTSS to provide the best of the Puja, Cultural, Décor, Feasting and Shopping experience. Cultural program included Fashion Show, Art Competition, Dance performances, Bhajan Sandhya, and Musical night.The Odissi dance-performances by Dr. Pompei Paul and troop stole the audience’s hearts.
Fluorescent lights & an artfully adorned dance floor created the ambience for performances. The dance floor was packed on the Dandiya Nights. Residents in colourful ethnic attire performed Dandiya with zeal! Dandiya participants mesmerized with their tireless dancing. What a liberating feeling to dance our hearts out!
Food completed the celebration. From donuts to tandoori delicacies, foodies were in paradise!
On Vijay Dashmi, married women assembled to smear Sindoor on Goddess Durga & on each other. With mixed emotions, we bid farewell to the Mother Goddess as She returned to Her marital home.
On the last evening, Sagarika Dev’s orchestra energized music lovers with her performances. The enthusiastic audience danced to Ms. Dev’s songs euphorically.
The festival ended with a procession carrying the idols for immersion on Wednesday, 25 October in an artificial water body created by FMG in Sector 132.
Dedication & planning by WTSS ensured these festive memories will be cherished for years. Coordination & teamwork were the cornerstones of the event. The commitment to ensure aesthetics as well as safety exemplified the spirit of responsibility.
Thank you to WTSS, volunteers, performers, and participating residents for making the festival a success. Looking forward to another super Wish Town Durga Puja Festival in 2024.
