NEW DELHI:Colourful ‘pandals’ (marquees), cultural shows and diverse gastronomic delights amid tight security — the stage is set for festivities and gaiety in the capital as the five-day Durga Puja commenced Sunday.
From eco-friendly to celebrating 100 years of New Delhi as the country’s capital, artisans are busy giving final touches to the idols while organisers complete last-minute decorations.
The themes this year are rich and diverse with some ‘pandals’ even opting for a healthy ‘prasad’ or holy offering cooked in olive oil.
According to Samrat Banerjee, one of the organisers at Greater Kailash-II, this year they have decided to go the healthy way. Thus, the ‘prasad’ will be prepared in olive oil only.(IANS)
“We’ve built this ‘pandal’ at an approximate cost of around Rs.10 lakh. We can easily accommodate eight thousand people. The celebrations will begin today (Sunday) evening,” Banerjee told IANS.
‘Lutyen’s Delhi’ would be the theme for their ‘pandal’ and an exhibition on 100 years of Delhi shall be put up on display, he added.
One of the most popular and largest ‘pandals’ in the national capital organised by the Delhi Durga Puja Committee in Kashmere Gate will be decorated as a grand temple of the goddess.
“We will have the best of authentic Bengali cultural shows and cuisines that nobody can match,” claimed Kallol Acharya, joint secretary of K block ‘pandal’ in C.R. Park.Acharya said that while planning this year’s celebrations, being eco-friendly was their top priority and so no bamboos were used in the construction of the ‘pandals’.(IANS)