Starting September 23, the Kashmere Gate Durga Puja Samiti is set to recreate the magic in its centenary celebrations from the unique craftsmanship that goes into creating the idol of the goddess, to traditional pujas, right up to the immersion where a bullock cart ferries the idol. Interestingly, the capital's oldest puja also happens to be eco-friendly.
"As the city gears up for Durga Puja celebrations with pandals coming up in several colonies, the Kashmere Gate function will be an occasion of pride for all Delhiites as it will link them to a tradition that is 100 years old,'' said an office-bearer of the Delhi Durga Puja Samiti, which organizes the event in the area. The samiti is set to highlight the culture and tradition that puja pandals in the area have been showcasing over the past century.
The tradition of celebrating Durga Puja started in Delhi around 1910. Puja was performed by ritually consecrating the mangal ghata, the symbol of the Devi. Pratima puja started in 1912. A year earlier, when Delhi was officially declared the capital of British India, there was a major increase in the Bengali population with a number of government offices shifting here.
From 1948 till today, the Kashmere Gate Durga puja remains among the most popular ones and is thronged by people from across the capital. In 1950, Durga Puja celebrations reverberated with the sound of dhaks. In those days, dhakis were not called from Kolkata and locals played the puja percussionists.
The joint Bijoya procession was held in 1952 for the first time. Prior to this, it was a part of the Ramlila procession. This year also saw the Kashmere Gate idol of Goddess Durga being carried on a bullock cart a tradition that is maintained to date.
The samiti is also sending out an eco-friendly message on its centenary. To begin with, the idol will be made of biodegradable material so that the Yamuna does not get polluted after immersion. In addition to this, the colours used to paint the idol would be vegetable dye-based shades. Non-biodegradable accessories will be removed before the final send-off. While clothes adorned by idols would be given away to the poor, flowers collected during the puja period will be preserved and handed over to an NGO for making eco-friendly colours. link
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