By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: This year’s Durga Puja promises to be a memorable one with some mind enduring goddesses, pandals along with decorations and lighting that can be seen in the 56 community Durga puja and nine private pujas in Greater Shillong. Among these some puja pandals truly fall under the “must visit” category.
The New Colony Durga Puja, celebrating platinum jubilee, is up for a big crowd with a rural Bengal- themed pandal. An important aspect of this puja is that it has an active ladies cell taking part in the puja activities. “I thought of including the womenfolk after taking over as general secretary in 1998 and since then they are a regular affair,” said, General Secretary, New Colony Sarbojonin Durga Puja Committee, Dr Abhijit Deb Roy.
The Lower Mawprem based Hindu Mission is known for its cultural items over the years. This year too various competitions for all age groups has been organized. Local MLA, Paul Lyngdoh who has broadened a road for entry of vehicles inside the premises of Hindu Mission, inaugurated the same on October 2 followed by a cultural programme. The idols are sculpted by their own artisan Sukanto Paul.
Jail Road is another crowd puller in the town. This year , the pandal is themed on an old Indian fort with creativity by decorators from Dhubri, Bilasipara. The lighting is done by decorators from Alipurduar, West Bengal and the idols will be all white in appearance shaped by their own artisan.
Shree Shree Rajasthani Durga Puja Samity, Lukier Road will showcase Rajasthani modern cultural programmes for three days during the puja celebrations. Like every year, this year too, the idols will be sculpted by a well-known sculptor from Kumortuli, West Bengal.
Rilbong Puja pandal has been illumined after the Golden Temple, Amritsar by city- based Pariot decorators and lighting by Bibek Lighting, Siliguri.
Kolkata based sculptor Amar Paul is shaping the idols whereas the inaugural ceremony on October 2 was attended by Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker, Charles Pyngrope as chief guest and Ramakrishna Mission, Secretary, Swami Achyuteshanandaji Maharaj as guest of honor.
Besides these Durga Puja celebrations, RR Colony Saradiya Utsav Samity will host this year’s SK Das Memorial Drum Beat Competition on the day of Navami whereas Narsingh Akhara, Malki – Dhankheti – Lachaumiere Durga Puja Committee near Bawri Mansion which displays eye catching posture of idols over the years is a major source of attraction besides their pandals.