No Virgin Tree puja in Delhi University this year?
And for the first time in decades, February 14 won’t witness all the fanfare.
Valentine’s Day will no longer be the same on campus. Because there will be no Damdami Mai puja now. Despite uproar from students, the famous Virgin Tree in Delhi University’s Hindu College was pruned and eventually taken down by the authorities during the construction of a new block on college grounds, last year.
And for the first time in decades, February 14 won’t witness all the fanfare — a Bollywood heroine being christened Damdami Mai by the students, and love hopefuls seeking blessings from the love deity.
Read: Hindu College’s Virgin Tree gets pruned, students to protest
The puja used to be unique, with students decorating the tree with balloons, condoms and posters of the actress considered the hottest that year.
“We’ve earlier had posters of Sonakshi Sinha, Priyanka Chopra, Sunny Leone and Lisa Haydon. Thanks to the authorities, we’ll have none of that now. This is a first in years and we all know who to blame for it,” said a third-year student, not wishing to be named.
Apoorva Gupta, another third-year student, said, “Every Hinduite wishes to be a part of this puja, so it’s sad that our juniors won’t be able to witness it. It is the end of a tradition.” Fuchchas are obviously heartbroken. “We’d heard so much about the puja. We’re so unlucky,” says Varun Chopra, a fresher.
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