
Sacred Balli Puja marks start of Katol Road Durga Puja celebrations
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The ceremony was graced by eminent dignitaries including Dipankar Shom, chief advisor; Vijay Ramani, president; Salil Samanta, general secretary; Tarit Chakraborty, president of Bengali Cultural Society; and chief guest Dr Sajal Mitra, dean, Lata Mangeshkar Medical College & Hospital.
A large gathering of office-bearers, members, and families from both the Durga Puja Committee and the Bengali Cultural Society participated in the rituals.
The sacred Balli was ceremonially installed with devotion amid traditional mantras, marking the spiritual beginning of the Durga Puja festivities which will be held from September 27 to October 2.
Salil Samanta, Tarit Chakraborty, Dipankar Shom, Vijay Ramani, Sanatan Roy, and Dr Sajal Mitra addressed the gathering, reflecting on the Puja's legacy as the city's most vibrant celebration. Swapan Chakraborty, general secretary, extended heartfelt thanks, expressing hope that this year's Puja will further strengthen bonds of brotherhood, friendship, and community spirit.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
As Ganesh Chaturthi festival gains popularity, Ludhiana sees rising demand for eco-friendly idols
Ganesh Chaturthi, once considered a festival largely celebrated in Maharashtra, is now finding a place in Punjabi households in Ludhiana, with more families choosing to celebrate it each year. With just a week left for the 10-day festivities, idol-making workshops across Ludhiana are bustling with activity, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for the festival. An artist giving final touches to Ganesha idols in Ludhiana on Wednesday. (Manish/HT) Artisans noted that the shift has been rapid. Until a decade ago, Ganesh Chaturthi was almost unknown in the city, but in recent years, its popularity has steadily increased. Demand for Ganesh idols has grown consistently, prompting artisans from other states, such as Rajasthan, to cater to the city's needs, they added. Sudhir Kumar, a third-generation artisan from Chander Nagar, said, 'We have been running our business for the past 50 years, making sculptures for Durga Puja, Diwali and other festivals. It was only 15 years ago that we began making idols for Ganesh Chaturthi, after noticing the growing interest among residents,' he said. There is a notable shift towards eco-friendly idols. 'Earlier, we mostly used Plaster of Paris (POP) idols, but with rising environmental awareness, people now prefer clay-based idols. Even the paints we use are eco-friendly which dissolve easily in water after immersion. Prices for these idols range from ₹2,000 to ₹40,000 depending on size, yet they remain a preferred choice for many households,' Kumar added. Rise in home celebrations and customised idols The post-pandemic trend has also opened opportunities for artisans to experiment with eco-friendly materials, innovative designs and modern themes while retaining the traditional charm. Artisans said the trend of home celebrations, which gained momentum after Covid-19, has significantly increased demand for customised Ganesha idols. Families now prefer celebrating the festival in their homes, seeking idols that are not only traditional but also tailored to their personal preferences. Sheema Rani, another artisan on Ferozepur road, said, 'Earlier, people mostly bought standard idols from shops. Now, many families come to us months in advance with very specific requests. Some want Bal Ganesh while others prefer 'Lal Bagh ke Raja' style idols with intricate decorations, bright colours and a regal aura. She further said that meeting these customised demands requires extra effort, skill and creativity. Each order often involves handcrafting minute details from facial expressions to attire and jewellery, making the idols unique. 'Some families even share photographs or sketches and we try to replicate every detail as closely as possible,' she added. Shivani, a resident of BRS Nagar, said, 'Earlier, I only knew about Ganesh Chaturthi from TV shows and movies. But after seeing the celebrations in full grandeur at local pandals and temples, we felt inspired to celebrate it at home ourselves. It gave us a chance to enjoy the festival up close, create our own traditions, and make it truly personal for our family.'


Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Sacred Balli Puja marks start of Katol Road Durga Puja celebrations
Nagpur: The Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee commenced preparations for its landmark 65th year of celebrations with the auspicious Balli Puja, held on August 17 at Basant Panchami Maidan, CPWD Govt Colony, Katol Road. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The ceremony was graced by eminent dignitaries including Dipankar Shom, chief advisor; Vijay Ramani, president; Salil Samanta, general secretary; Tarit Chakraborty, president of Bengali Cultural Society; and chief guest Dr Sajal Mitra, dean, Lata Mangeshkar Medical College & Hospital. A large gathering of office-bearers, members, and families from both the Durga Puja Committee and the Bengali Cultural Society participated in the rituals. The sacred Balli was ceremonially installed with devotion amid traditional mantras, marking the spiritual beginning of the Durga Puja festivities which will be held from September 27 to October 2. Salil Samanta, Tarit Chakraborty, Dipankar Shom, Vijay Ramani, Sanatan Roy, and Dr Sajal Mitra addressed the gathering, reflecting on the Puja's legacy as the city's most vibrant celebration. Swapan Chakraborty, general secretary, extended heartfelt thanks, expressing hope that this year's Puja will further strengthen bonds of brotherhood, friendship, and community spirit.


News18
2 days ago
- News18
Dhunuchi Naach Takes Over At Parineeta's 20 Year Celebrations, Courtesy Vidya Balan
PVR INOX and Vinod Chopra Films announced that the restored version of the movie will be re-released across India starting August 29. The makers of Parineeta, featuring Vidya Balan, Sanjay Dutt and Saif Ali Khan, hosted a grand screening of their film on Monday night in Mumbai to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The event was nothing short of star-studded as who's who of the showbiz arrived in their stylish attire to mark this significant milestone. Recently, PVR INOX and Vinod Chopra Films announced that the restored version of the movie will be re-released across India starting August 29. Vidya Balan Performs Dhunuchi Naach One of the key highlights of the event was Vidya performing the traditional Dhunuchi Naach on the red carpet along with producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It is a vibrant and energetic ritual performed during Durga Puja, especially on Bijoya Dashami, the last day of the festival, in Bengal. In a video shared on Instagram, the actress and the producer are seen engaging in a fun banter and performing the steps in front of the paps stationed at the location. As for the appearance, the actress looked gorgeous in a bright traditional red saree paired with an embroidered red and golden blouse. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) Parineeta 20 Years Celebrations Apart from Vidya and Vidhu Vinod Chopra, other celebs who arrived at the event include Dia Mirza, Shreya Ghoshal, Rekha and Rajkumar Hirani. Parineeta: Plot Helmed by the late director Pradeep Sarkaar, the film was originally released in 2005 and also featured Raima Sen, Sabyasachi Chakraborty and Dia Mirza in supporting roles. Notably, it was the Hindi adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's 1914 Bengali novella of the same name. Parineeta explores the love story of Shekhar and Lalita, set in early 20th-century Bengal and delves into the social complexities of the time, including class differences and societal expectations. The story follows their childhood romance, the challenges they face as they grow up and the misunderstandings that arise due to societal pressures. Apart from the storyline and acting performances, the film is also loved for Shantanu Moitra's soulful score featuring gems like Piyu Bole, Kasto Mazza and Kaisi Paheli Zindagani. Now, the film has been restored in 8K with enhanced sound as part of the studio's archival efforts. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...