Salt Lake AK Block will usher in the goddess with the theme “Singhasan-ey Singhabahini” this year. The theme was announced at their khuti puja
“We shall create a colossal wooden throne this year that will resemble the thakurer ashon at our houses where we offer our prayers every day. The throne will be the abode of the goddess,” said Aritra Ranjan Sen, general secretary, AK Block Association.
As per government guidelines, the pandal will be open on three sides so people can see the idol from a distance and watch the puja rituals too. “We have reduced the scale of the puja too as it is difficult to raise sponsorship in a pandemic year. But we are doing our best in the present scenario. We shall be careful about Covid restrictions and make all the arrangements accordingly. We pray that we can get over this situation soon,” Sen added.
Ignoring the rain, residents had come to watch the khuti puja. Among eminent guests were cricketer Sambaran Banerjee, singer Saikat Mitra, artist Bimal Kundu, actress Priyanka Saha and Krishna Chakraborty, chairperson, board of administrators, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation.
The idol at the puja this year will be sculpted by Parimal Paul and the pandal will be designed by Susmita Rudra. “The idol will be traditional but with an artistic touch,” hinted Paul. “We are still trying to adapt to the pandemic. Our working styles have changed. Previously we worked in huge groups but now we have had to reduce the numbers and are working with fewer people in small groups.”