Ask any Bengali and you’ll know the importance of Durga Puja in his or her world. This grand celebration of victory over evil for a period of 5 days is the eternal representation of devotion for Bongs not just in India, but all over the world. However, this period also signifies celebration due to the arrival of Goddess Durga to her paternal home. Devotees participate in the “Pushpanjali”, “Sandhi Pujo”, and “Sindur Khella” and also get to devour their favorite local delicacies. With the coronavirus having shown its influence for the last two years, Durga Puja in 2021 was allowed in a restricted manner across India.
5 Days, 19 Pujas
All the Pujas mentioned below were covered in Delhi NCR. While we did cover 19 Pujas in total, the best highlights over 5 days have been given below.
We kickstarted pandal hopping with Chittaranjan (CR) Park, the mecca for all Bengalis in the Capital. The aim was to be able to see as much as we could without running into too many crowds, and this was best possible on Panchami. The first place on our agenda was the Shiv Mandir on Bipin Chandra Pal Marg. This is one of the best-known venues; Dona Ganguly (Saurabh Ganguly’s wife) performed her dance here some years ago. Visitors were still not allowed to see Durga’s face, due to which the idols were kept behind a transparent cloth. Having come here after a long time, we explored the temple a little more and also offered our prayers to Shiva, Radha Krishna, and Goddess Kali.
Next began the search for the D Block Durga Puja. The funny thing here was that Google Maps pointed us towards H Block despite labeling it as D Block. Thinking it was the right place, the wife and I landed up there, only to realize it was not D Block. This time I took a little longer to search the real D Block and went there. The pandal was set up in a house and Durga’s face was covered here as well. Upon entering the pandal, we felt as though this was a private meeting, but instead, only the participants were fewer. All COVID protocols were being followed to the T.
Noida Kali temple was one place where celebrations were done in grand fashion. Beautiful purple lighting was visible on the left of the temple. To the right were the deities; we were able to visit easily on Panchami but found it difficult to get to the area on Navami. My wife and I freaked out on the Mughlai Parathas, Fish Fingers, and Burger here for two days. However, parking did prove to be a bit of a challenge here.
Proper arrangements in Dwarka
No, this is not in Gujarat, but the Dwarka in South West Delhi. I am lucky that a massive Durga Puja is organized within the premises of Dakshinayan Apartments, the place where my in-laws stay. Our plan was to stay here on Ashtami, visit a few pujas around as well, and then head back to Navami. Dakshinayan being a society complex full of Bengalis, plenty of them were roped in to ensure that celebrations in a Covid environment could be carried out in a hassle-free manner.
Entry without masks wasn’t being allowed into the pandal and separate entry and exit points were made. Temperature checks were being done not by security guards but by volunteers, unlike many other places. Circles were made on the ground for the waiting crowd to stand in a socially distanced manner. Pushpanjali was being done in several batches and we got it done easily.
Lunch this afternoon was in the form of ‘Bhog’- holy food that is offered to the Gods. Food items were beautifully packed into disposable containers- residents had to simply show their coupons to get the parcel. As people were not eating near the counters, there were no crowds and people could take their food to their homes within no time.
So, What’s Unique?
Firstly, Covid ensured that Durga Puja did not happen at all in 2020. With the number of cases in two digits within Delhi, most Bengalis here were eager to participate, and this did happen in 2021. Our main reason for exploring different puja pandals is to see how beautiful the statues look together, the kind of arrangements made all around, the theme, and the food (if available). Social distancing was also being observed in different ways at different places.
One of the main challenges that arise in virtually every pandal in Delhi is that of vehicle parking. Since these often take place in residential colonies, it becomes difficult to locate a suitable place. It was the main reason to go to CR Park on Panchami, to be safe from huge crowds and the coronavirus. We were lucky at our local Vasundhara Enclave Kali temple to not face this problem.
Some of the pujas are small but the statues are extremely beautiful, a case in point being Sector 25, Jalvayu Vihar, Noida. The kind of woodwork surrounding Durga and the others was simply marvelous. Similarly, at Shipra Sun City we got to see a smiling Durga, which was again unique.
One example of a puja that was organized at a large scale but was still managed very well was at New Delhi Kali Bari, Mandir Marg (Central Delhi). Not only were the statues large but the layout was made and managed well enough to prevent infections as much as possible. Designated parking was made on the opposite side of the road and traffic cops were available for directions. As soon as we entered, we had to put our shoes into a packet which was stored behind and returned on the basis of a token. Snake-like lines were made to get to Ma Durga and the exit was completely different, from where one could collect shoes. There were individual toilets on the opposite road as well so that people didn’t have to return to the premises.
Arrangements Made At Kali Mandirs
From Dwarka to South Delhi to East Delhi and Noida, we found that the most number of pujas were taking place in Kali temples. As these were banned in open parks due to COVID-19, it made the most sense for them to be organized in the temples.
2021 may have had its ups and downs, but we are more than happy to have been able to witness Durga Puja this year, albeit in a restricted manner. To most Bengalis, this is the only religious festival that we wholeheartedly participate in. You won’t see many of us being huge participants during any other religious congregations.
