In a rare occurence, Vishwakarma Puja and Ganesh Chaturthi are going to be celebrated just at a day’s gap. This has triggered a rush to book chairs, sound boxes, microphones and lights.
“Vishwakarma puja is on September 18 while Ganesh Chaturthi is on September 19. This year I am supplying lights and sound boxes to five Ganesh Pujas and three Vishwakarma Pujas simultaneously. I have already started stocking up supplies from my other godowns for the last couple of weeks. I have been associated with these pujas for the last 27 years. They call me every year for sound boxes and microphones. This year I have started supplying lights as well. That has led to better business,” said Ashok Pal, owner of Bapi Electronics in Bangur Avenue.
Over the last 15-20 years, Vishwakarma Puja and Ganesh Puja have never been celebrated in such quick succession. There is usually a gap of 15-20 days between the two.
Suhas Chakraborty, who works as an electric equipment supplier in Dum Dum Nagerbazar area, is already facing the heat. “This year there is a huge rush because of the two pujas happening one after another. I am handling five pujas in Dum Dum area alone. Small-time workers like me do not have much stock. So I have borrowed supplies of sound boxes and chairs from others in the business. In fact, I have got so many orders that I have passed on several orders to friends.”
“Earlier we didn’t have so many Ganesh pujas. The number has increased exponentially in the last 8-10 years. Earlier we used to get busy only with Vishwakarma puja which was followed directly by Durga puja. Even Vishwakarma puja was organised only by people with factories and workshops. It is a new trend among the common people. Earlier Ganesh Puja happened in individual homes and Burrabazar area. Nowadays even Bengalis want to celebrate Ganesh puja in a big way. So I don’t ever remember seeing such kind of rush before. More pujas being organised is good news for our business,” added Pal, with a smile.
For organisers who have managed to place their orders, it is time to look forward to the extended window of festivities. “A lot of people in our stands are going to take off for two days. Many rickshaws, autos and buses will not ply in our area at that time. It is a rare occasion to have two back-to-back days full of festivities,” said Dulal Pal, a member of the Bangur Avenue Rickshaw Stand Puja Committee, off VIP Road.
