E-Paper
Huge rush at puja pandals
FESTIVE MOOD has gripped the city with installation of idols of Goddess Durga at pandals. As many as 1776 idols have been installed across the district. Large number of devotees can be seen queued at these pandals to perform a series of rituals. Worship of Goddess Durga was in full swing on the seventh day of Sharad Navratra. However, most of the pandals have been erected flouting all security norms and no arrangement has been made in case of an emetgency like fire.
FESTIVE MOOD has gripped the city with installation of idols of Goddess Durga at pandals. As many as 1776 idols have been installed across the district. Large number of devotees can be seen queued at these pandals to perform a series of rituals.
Worship of Goddess Durga was in full swing on the seventh day of Sharad Navratra. However, most of the pandals have been erected flouting all security norms and no arrangement has been made in case of an emetgency like fire.
According to sources, 875 idols of Goddess Durga were installed in rural areas and 811 idols in the city area. Puja pandals at Durgabari, Dharmshala Bazar, Diwan Bazar, Ghasi Katra were point of attraction. The multi-storeyed pandal at Durgabari witnessed huge crowds. Traditional rituals were performed with fervour here while cultural activities added more colour to the festival.
The nine-day long festival that began on September 23, would conclude till October 3.
Though the administration had directed the organisers of Puja Samitis to ensure fire safety measures like water, sand and proper wiring in decoration of pandals, his instructions remained unheard. The minimum height of the pandals was fixed at three metres but average height of the pandal in the city is more than five to seven metres.
Puja pandals established on roadsides covering half of the road have created hindrance in smooth movement of traffic. On Thursday and Friday, the only working days before closing of government offices for celebration of Navmi and Dussehra, witnessed huge rush in the city.
The city has witnessed steep rise in numbers of Durga Puja pandals over the last three years and even skyrocketing prices have failed to deter the spirit of devotees.
In the year 2003, 1506 Durga idols were installed while in 2004 the number was 1551, in 2005 it was 1605 and in 2006 it was 1776.
This year a new trends was witnessed when local BJP MP Adityanath started inspection of the puja pandals.
