Durga Puja is only a month away and preparations for the celebration have started in full swing in Kolkata. Every year during Durga Puja, artists create themed pandals and idols of Goddess Durga that draw crowds from all over the city and the country. This year, Nazrul Park Unnayan Samiti in Kolkata’s Baguiati will feature a fibreglass idol of the goddess resembling the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee. The 10 hands of Goddess Durga will spotlight 10 schemes of the West Bengal government like Shikshashree, Khadya Sathi, Swasthya Sathi and Lakhi Bhandar.
Durga Idol Resembling Mamata Banerjee To Be Featured In Kolkata’s Baguiati
Speaking to ANI, Nazrul Park Unnayan Samiti’s vice president Partha Sarkar said, “Mamata will showcase the mass benefit schemes of the chief minister to reach out to the marginalised sections of the society.” The Mamata-themed Goddess Durga will wear a white saree, just like the Chief Minister. In the background, there will be the Biswa Bangla logo. Reportedly, the idol costs ₹2,10,000. Nazrul Park Unnayan Samiti is creating the idol in collaboration with Crowdnxt Media Art. Artist Mintu Pal is sculpting this idol, who had also modelled the largest reclining Buddha statue in India at Kolkata’s Baranagar.
West Bengal | 3 committees collaborate to make idol of Goddess Durga resembling CM Mamata Banerjee
"Every person in Bengal considers her as Goddess Durga. The benefits she provided to people haven't been seen in world," says Partha Sarkar, Vice Pres, Nazrul Park Unnayan Samiti pic.twitter.com/wZZzUlUTBc
— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2021
The Puja Committee Wants To Highlight The Benefits Provided By The CM To The World
Three committees are collaborating to make this one-of-a-kind idol of Goddess Durga. Sarkar said, “Every person in Bengal considers her as Goddess Durga. The benefits she provided to people haven’t been seen in the world.” Instead of weapons, the 10 hands of the Goddess will showcase 10 different schemes of Mamata Banerjee.
Also Read: 10 Things To Do In Kolkata During Durga Puja Under ₹200
Another puja committee in Kolkata will have four female priests worshipping Goddess Durga this year, for the first time in the history of the celebration. At South Kolkata’s 66 Pally Durgotsab, priestesses Nandini Bhowmick, Ruma, Semanti and Paulami will perform the 5-day rituals of Durga Puja, breaking gender stereotypes.
These stories prove that Durga Puja 2021 will not just be about worshipping Mother Goddess, but it will also honour the power of earthly women who set examples.
On that note, here’s a look back at 7 Durga puja pandals that had beautifully depicted the hard times of 2020.