The call of the conch and the beats of the dhak that reverberated through the City during the four-day long festivities of Durga Puja will not be heard this year. Adapting to the challenges of Covid-19, puja pandal organisers in Ranchi have decided to adopt technology and take revellers on a virtual tour.
With restrictions being imposed on social gatherings owning to the pandemic, crowded streets, serpentine queues, attractive installations, food stalls and fanfare- anything that would catch the public’s eye will be seen missing this year.
“This is for the 50th year that we would be conducting Durga Puja festivities and were looking forward to hold grand celebrations. Keeping the present situation in mind, the festival will not be celebrated like every other year this time. Arrangements for online darshan through our FaceBook page YouTube channel- OCC Club and Durga Puja Pandal Committee have been made. As against a budget of Rs 16 lakh last year, this year the budget is just Rs 2 lakh. The bhog offered to the deity is generally distributed amongst the devotees but this time no prasad distribution will be there,” said Rajendra Singh, president of the CC Club and Durga Puja Committee.
Celebrating the festival in a grand way since 1913, this year marks the 108th year of the Hinoo Puja Committee popularly known as Bangla Mandap. “All guidelines issued by the government regarding the festival will be strictly adhered to. Keeping up with the digital world, we have created a page on FaceBook as well as Instagram and all cultural activities are being shared by the members there since the past two weeks. From Panchami onwards, provision to show all the rituals and customs to the devotees is also being made through these pages. Live performance of Dhanuchi naach, synonymous with the festival will also not be conducted this year. The Committee has also decided that bhog offered to the Goddess will be distributed to the labourers present in the vicinity,” said Indrajit Sinha, General Secretary of the committee.
“A website www.durgabatiranchi.in has been created by Durgaa Bati, where videos of all the rituals will be shared. A schedule stating the date and time of rituals like aarti and pushpanjali has also been uploaded and devotees can perform the ceremony by following the mantras from the convenience of their homes. The account number has also been mentioned for those who want to offer donations. We will pray for the well being of all and hope to celebrate the festival in all its glory next year,” said Setanka Sen, Assistant Secretary of Durga Bati Main Road.
