SHILLONG: The Central Puja Committee (CPC), Meghalaya, a representative body of Hindu religious group residing in Meghalaya has made elaborate arrangements for the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.
The CPC is also the co-coordinating body of all Puja committees, Hindu institutions, Mandir committees, festival committees with units in Garo Hills, Ri-Bhoi, Bholaganj, Balat, Jainta Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and other parts of the state.
In a statement, the CPC said that Durga Puja, being one of the major festivals of Hindus, CPC is responsible in coordinating the activities and smooth conduct of Puja throughout the state in general and Greater Shillong in particular.
This year, there will be 232 community Durga Puja in Meghalaya and the break up is Khasi Hills Districts (112), Jaintia Hills (11) and Garo Hills (109).
In Greater Shillong area, the Community Durga Puja is 64 and the private (family) Durga Puja is 7.
Get together of harmony
CPC’s much acclaimed annual function is the Get-Together of Harmony which will be held on Saturday at 4 pm at Assom Kristi Kendra Auditorium, Stony Land Dhankheti.
Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy will be the chief guest and leaders of various political parties, ministers, MLAs, heads of different religious faiths, leaders of prominent NGOs, social activists and others join the ‘All Faith Prayer for Peace & Harmony and Get-together’ on the eve of its diamond jubilee celebration.
Cleaning drive
The committee said it wants to ensure protection of environment and pollution free stream water, particularly Wah Umkhrah river. The lone immersion ghat of Shillong is located at the bank of river Wah Umkhrah, Polo, where immersion of Durga and other idols are done throughout the year.
The CPC used to undertake cleaning drive at the immersion ghat at three stages.
This year, the CPC will undertake a cleaning drive at immersion ghat, Polo on October 14 and 15 and again on October 20 and 21, immediately after immersion and lastly after immersion of Kali idols.
Drum competition
The CPC’s SK Das memorial drum-beat competition (traditional) will be held on October 18 at 10 am at Puja Pandel of RR Colony, Saradiya Durga Puja Committee of Rynjah.
Competitions will be held in individual and group category.
Drum-beaters of different Durga Puja Pandals of Greater Shillong will participate in the competitions.
The winning Drum-Beaters (individual & group) will be awarded cash prizes along with medals.
Security
A series of meetings between CPC/Durga Puja committees and district civil and police administration were already being held where points/issues related to peaceful puja celebration were discussed.
The District Police Administration will deploy round the clock security.
The District Administration & CPC have requested the Secretary MUDA to keep open its all parking lots namely Police Bazar, Polo, Luckier Road till midnight during ensuing Durga Puja days as to facilitate the movement of puja visitors.
Women’s wing
CPC’s Mohila Samiti will distribute sweet box, gift items, warm clothes and others to one of the orphanages located in Shillong on first day of Puja on Tuesday.
The CPC will also organise competitions among different Durga Puja pandals of Greater Shilong in various categories, cleanliness, puja souvenir, idols, decorations, illuminations and others.
The CPC will conduct the competitions by appointing judges having knowledge on the subject.
CPS’s advanced Diwali celebration and Prasad Gupta memorial drum-beat competition (indigenous) will be on November 3 at Vivekananda Sangha, Shillong.
