Rain plays spoilsport for pandal hoppers

Rain on Friday played spoilsport for pandal-hopping crowds in the city. “Waterproof” pandals did not seem to be of much help as several areas flooded and some events were cancelled.

Rain on Friday played spoilsport for pandal-hopping crowds in the city. “Waterproof” pandals did not seem to be of much help as several areas flooded and some events were cancelled.

Durga Puja organisers reported thin crowds. “Bhog and prasad were served two hours after schedule. Several competitions were delayed,” said Deepak Paloi, a committee member of the Mela Ground Durga Puja Samiti at CR Park.

The site of the oldest Durga Puja in the city, organised by the Delhi Durga Puja Charitable and Cultural Samiti at Kashmere Gate, was flooded. “The heavy downpour flooded our ground and we had to cancel all our programmes in the morning,” Samarendra Bose, member of the Samiti, said.

Greater Kailash II Durgotsab arranged for four trucks of sand to even out the land where water had accumulated. Sameer Bannerjee, general secretary of the committee, said they had strengthened the pandal as more rain has been forecast.

The rain, however, failed to dampen the spirits of some puja enthusiasts.

“I have been out since morning and have visited four pandals. I want to enjoy the spirit of this festival, it doesn’t matter if it rains or not,” said Subir Upadhyay, a resident of Paschim Vihar.

The Minto Road Puja Samiti was among those that were not affected by the rain.

“There was some waterlogging in the open areas but everything was in order,” said SS Basak, general secretary of the Samiti.