Written By Rashmi Ranjan Bhuiyan (98997 08456, PH-2)
Durga Puja is not just a festival, but an expressed emotion of all Wishtown residents, celebrate with great pomp and gaiety. Wishtown Durga Puja Festival 2022, organized by WTSS was an
ethereal experience of beholding Wishtown of joy during five days of the festival.
Wishtown celebrated Durga Puja between 1st and 5th Oct 2022 with unswerving devotion and steadfast adherence to the divinity. The idol of Goddess Durga was installed on an embellished pandal on the Shashti and the elaborate rituals conducted on Saptami, to invoke the blessed presence in the grand idol of Durga Maa, Goddess Laxmi, Goddess Saraswathi, Lord Kartikeya and Lord Ganesha. It was just an amazing devotional experience of participating in the puja and listening to the chaste Sanskrit shlokas of the Pandits.
The “Dhunuchi Naach”, a devotional dance in obeisance of Goddess Durga was performed with much exultation and buoyancy during the evening aarti. The devotees performed with the musical beats of the Dhaki while holding the clay pot containing burning dried coconut skin, incense, and camphor. Sounds of Dhaki gave us an amazing feel of chill through our spines.
The event was meticulously planned by WTSS to render us the best experience of culture, décor, feasting and shopping. A range of cultural programs were organized, which included Fashion Show, Talent Hunt, Art Competition, Musical Night, Bharatanatyam, Dance performances and everybody’s favourite “The Dandiya Night”. “Ghoomer” and “Holiya Mein Ude Re Gulal” Rajasthani dance performances by Wishtown ladies were just nostalgic moments, which stole the heart of the audiences.
The Durga Puja Pandal has been always the centre of attraction due to the magnificent structures and commendable décor. Wishtown sports field was converted to the shape of an ornamental fairyland with decorative lights embellishing every nook and cranny. The spectacular cave-shaped main entry gate was illusionary magic created using strings of bulbs. And not to forget the beautiful Selfie point, which had a queue almost all evening. From the early hours of dawn till 10:00 PM, the sprawling two-acres pandal was crammed with thousands of enthusiastic residents. Distinguished dignitaries, who graced the occasion are Dr Mahesh Sharma (MP), Pankaj Singh (MLA), Dr AK Singh (Director of Health, UP Govt), Brig (Dr) Rakesh Gupta (Director – GIMS) and Dr Sunil Sharma(CMO) The dance floor was moist, the lights were gleaming, the picturesque Sports field was adorned, and the sound was reverberating. The occasion was Dandiya Night, organized on Saptami and Navami emanated rays of euphoria and zeal among all the residents. Participants with traditional Indian attire mesmerized the night through warm colours and with their rhythmical steps rocked the floor with the beats of Dandiya music tirelessly, the lucky draw was just a surprise to amplify their assimilated zeal. What a liberating feeling it was to dance your heart out like the stage is yours.
No celebration is complete without food. From street food to tandoori paneer, the pandal was the food paradise for 4 days of the celebration. The momos were worth trying and the Panipuri counter was overcrowded till the inventory lasted. Food lovers just relished the Chowmein, Dosas, Stuffed Paratha, Romali Roti, Chole Bhature, Tandoori Paneer… and many more mouthwatering dishes.
The live concert on Ashtami by Aishwarya Anand, an emerging Bollywood playback singer with a melodious voice charged up the audiences and the over-enthusiastic audiences started shaking their legs cheerfully to the tune of her songs within no time. As she sang her main aria, there was something so extraordinary, something so wonderful in her performance, that created some sense of amazing connection between the singer and the audience.
Vijaya Dashami, the last day of the festival witnessed married women of Wishtown smearing “Sindoor” on each other and dancing with rapturous joy to bid farewell to Maa Durga returning to the adobe of her husband. The festival ended with a grand procession carrying the idols for the immersion. Idols were immersed in an artificial water body created by FMG.
What a glorious celebration!!! A big thanks to WTSS BOM, Executive Body members, Volunteers, Performers, and participating residents for making it a grand success.
Article Coordinated by Anshu Gupta (PC-17/403)
