Bengaluru gears up for Durga Puja 2022 celebrations

After two years of restricted Durga Puja festivities, the city’s Bengali community is getting ready for a grand celebration

It is that time of the year when the city witnesses the sprouting of ornate pandals, surrounded by a swarm of people in traditional red-and-white sarees, exchanging lip-smacking milk sweets and savouries. The numerous Bengali associations in Bengaluru are preparing for an uncurbed celebration of Durga Puja after two years of restrained festivities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival commences on the Maha Panchami (on September 30), followed by Maha Shashti, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and, finally, the Bijaya Dashami (on October 5), when idols of goddess Durga will be immersed. The festivities around the city will kick off this Friday evening when the Durga idols are brought to the various pandals.

Pujo celebration info:-

The pandals, apart, pujo celebrations are usually marked by the mass pujas, the traditional arati, and lots of food.

The associations also try to stand out from the rest by designing their pandals with a socio-cultural theme. Bengali Association for the Residents of Sarjapur and HSR Area (BARSHA), for instance, has chosen ‘75 years of Indian Independence’ as its theme. 

“The entry to our pandal will be through a replica of the India Gate,” says Ambar Mitra, the president of BARSHA. “On the third evening of the pujo, we are planning to blow 75 conch shells to thank Maa Durga for the well-being of India for 75 years.”

“We are also planning to have the idol themed according to one of the most famous and the oldest Durga Pujas of West Bengal  – the Baghbazar Sarbajanin Durga Puja. This idol will be placed in a replica of Vidhana Soudha measuring about 60 feet wide and 20 feet high.”