Durga Puja is a festival, which symbolizes the end of evil and restoration of peace and harmony.
Like every year, this year also Puja was celebrated in Neeti Bagh Park on a grand scale. Idol of Goddess Durga along with Lord Ganesh, Kartikeya, Goddess Saraswati, Laxmiji and Demon Mahishasur were brought to the Puja Pandal on Panchami evening with full faith, devotion and reverence. Festivities started from Shashti evening with Inauguration of Anand Mela by MLA-Sh. Somnath Bharti and Municipal Councillor-Sh. Kamal Bhardwaj. In Anand Mela, Delicious home cooked food stalls, gift items stalls, jewellery, sarees and readymade garments stalls drew attention of the crowds.
Kicking off the Cultural activities, this year on Shashti evening, a very entertaining and mesmerizing “Never Give Up” Dance cum Play and “Comedy Reels” performed by Children of Gulmohar Park, Neeti Bagh and Gautam Nagar and Directed by Niti Bhardwaj and Manisha Gupta was staged. To adorn this evening, there was a scintillating dance performance by Prerna Sharma and Charu Gupta. Bhavya Sharma and Shreshtha Rajpurohit also presented their best in Dance performance. Saptami evening started with Fancy Dress Competition in different categories and children could be seen in vibrant attires and colours. Audience enjoyed Bharatnatyam Dance performance by Disciples of Padma Shri awardee, Geeta Chandran on the same evening which was followed by Kathak classical performance by Niharika Mehra. Our Pandaal’s Puja Ladies, who have been serving selflessly since many years, also displayed their talents by showcasing a breathtaking and sparkling Geetmala-full of melodious songs in hindi and bengali. These ladies were Pia Mukherjee, Krishna Deb, Anandita Chakravorty, Rupa Mukherjee, Rituparna Deb, Moumita Deb and Joita Deb. Introduction of each song was given by Pushpa Mishra. Ashtami evening took off with Dance Competition in various categories, which was followed by Songs sung by Shomili Deb and Srihith Deb. After this, there was a mellifluent musical performance by Malabika Thakur, Apurva Thakur, Vimal Bhan and others. People enjoyed fun filled Dandiya on foot tapping music with their colourful festive dresses. On Navami morning, painting competition was organized in various categories. Navami evening started with Talent Competition across many categories. Traditional Dhunuchi Dance saw many electrifying performance in front of Durga Maa. Then there was a much awaited Comedy Play “Andher Nagari Chaupat Raja” and Advertisements performed by Children of Gulmohar Park, Neeti Bagh and Gautam Nagar and Directed by Niti Bhardwaj and Manisha Gupta. This was followed by Songs sung by Bishwadeep Moitra. Ladies rejoiced Dashami morning with Sindoor Khela and embraced each other. Then everyone offered their last prayer to all the deities before Visarjan and after that all the Idols were taken for Visarjan. In the evening, everyone gathered in the Puja Pandaal for Shanti Jal and exchanging Dussehra wishes.
Puja and offerings were accomplished from Shashti evening till Dashami morning in the Pandaal. People enjoyed Bhog/ Prasad which was served on all the 3 days of the Puja. HAPPY SHUBHO BIJOYA AND DUSSEHRA TO ALL.
On 16-10-24, Lakshmi Puja was celebrated at the same Puja Pandaal in the evening. Prize and Certificate distribution ceremony of all the competitions and Stage Plays were held from 8 pm onwards. After Lakshmi Puja, everybody relished the Bhog/ Prasad, which was served.
Successful Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja ended under guidance of Secretary-Shyamal Mukherjee, President-L.C. Agrawala and Treasurer-Ranjan Mukherjee. Niti Bhardwaj did Anchoring and Direction of all the cultural programs.
