The most celebrated occasion in the city of joy Kolkata is none other than Durga Puja. During the weeklong festival, the city gets dressed in vibrant lightings and decorations. Donning new clothes, people step out of their homes, indulge in pandal hopping, meet friends, binge-eat and do everything that matches with the spirit of the festival. But when it comes to worshipping Goddess Durga, it is usually done by male priests. But this year, South Kolkata’s 66 Pally Durgotsab is all set to break gender stereotypes. For the first time ever in the history of Kolkata’s Durga Puja, the committee is appointing four priestesses who will conduct all the worship rituals.
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Mothers On Earth To Worship Mother Goddess
Nandini Bhowmick and her colleagues – Ruma, Semanti and Paulami will conduct the 5-day rituals of Durga Puja at Rash Behari Avenue’s 66 Pally Durgotsab. In 2020, a Bengali movie named Brahma Janen Gopon Kommoti had hit the theatres which brought into light the idea of worship by a priestess to correct gender imbalances. Actress Ritabhari Chakraborty had played the role of the protagonist in the movie, which was a box office success. The concept as well as the performance of the actors was lauded by the viewers. This time, Hindu idol worship is witnessing priestesses for real. The puja committee wishes to take forward this tradition the next year as well if the priestesses are approved and if they wish to continue their association with the committee.
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The Four Women Are Scholars
According to a Times of India report, Pradyuna Mukherjee from the committee has said that all the four women are scholars and added that they have great command on scriptures. He also said that if women can make all arrangements of the puja, they can be priestesses too. Durga Puja 2021 will begin on October 11 and continue till October 15.