Calcutta, Sept. 11: The beat of the " dhakis" will be less loud and there won't be illuminations and cultural events.

Despite all odds, Nripendra Narayan Bengali Hindu Hall (NNBHH) in Darjeeling has decided to continue with its 103-year-old tradition of Durga Puja.

In the fluid political situation, in which the hills have remained close for 89 days till today, it was a difficult decision for the Sree Mandir Durga Puja Committee to take. "But we have decided to go ahead with the puja and we are receiving a lot of local support," said Ujjal Dey, the secretary of the puja committee.

In normal times, preparations would start a month before.

"We would go to the people for donations but this time, it has not been possible. Our puja budget was usually between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 4.5 lakh but this year, we have decided to open a desk at the mandir and accept whatever donation that comes our way," said Partha Sarathi Sen, the assistant secretary of the NNBH Hall.

Local people are coming up to the hall for contributions.

"This year, we are organising the puja with a budget of about Rs 2 lakh," Raju Biswas, the secretary of the puja committee, said.

The cut in the budget means there will be no "dhakis" (traditional drummers) from Malda.

"We would get six dhakis from Malda but this year, we will only have two of them, and that too, from Siliguri. We will not be able to afford the light decorations through the lane that leads to the mandir," said Biswas.

"This year, we will only have decorations inside the mandir."

The committee members are also not sure whether they can hold the three-day cultural events.

"At this moment, we have decided not to hold the three-day cultural event but if the strike is lifted, then we will probably organise the event for a day or two," said Dey.

The cultural events are held on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami, which fall on September 27, 28 and 29 this year.

During the three days, bhog will, however, be served as usual.

The local people too, want the tradition to continue.

Yugen Giri, a resident of Dhobi Talow, who had come to make a donation at the mandir, said: "The puja has to continue. I come to this puja every year. This is part of our tradition."

Lalit Mani Dahal, 75, said: "This puja, which is in its hundred-and-third year is older than me, I have memories of attending this puja since I was a child. I used to stay at Chandmari then and the puja has always been a part of me," said the Bhakti Busty, who too was at the mandir to make a donation.

The mandir is 136 years old and the association was formed 126 years ago. Since 1915, Durga Puja has been held at the mandir.

While the Durga Puja would be held in Darjeeling in a low-key manner, organisers in Kurseong have decided not to hold the puja this year.

This is primarily because Gorkhaland supporters have torched the Raj Rajeshwari Hall, where the puja was held during the ongoing agitation.

In Kalimpong, where the Kalimpong Sarbojonin Durga Puja Committee used to hold the puja in the Town Hall, they are still unsure as whether they will be able to organise it this year.

"We are waiting for an improvement in the situation and are yet to make a decision. However, it has been decided that if we manage to make arrangements, the puja would be held at Thakurbari and not in the Town Hall," said one of the organisers.