Latest news with #Pujo
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rath Yatra marks the countdown to Durga Puja: Priyanka Sarkar
Priyanka Sarkar at Ram Gopal Saha's mansion From decorating her multi-tiered rath with her father to ringing bells to earn a fair share of pocket money in exchange of prasad, to watching her son slowly outgrow the tradition, Rath Yatra isn't just a festival for actress Priyanka Sarkar, it's a feeling woven with childhood memories, family rituals, and simple joys. CT shoots with the Chirodini Tumi Je Amar and Bibaho Obhijaan actress on this special occasion, to know how the day reminds her of a personal journey through time, food, and nostalgia. Have you ever been to Puri for Rath Yatra? I've always wanted to. Puri, for us, is more than just a place. It's an emotion. I've thought of going to Puri during Rath Yatra, but never ended doing so, mainly because it's overcrowded during this time of the year. They say Jagannath pulls you Himself... It's true! He really does. The first time I visited the Jagannath Temple in Puri, I was barely one and a half years old, so I have no memory of it. After that, I've gone to Puri several times for shoots, but not once did I get the opportunity to actually get a darshan of Jagannath. Then, just a few months ago, I went on a road trip to Mandarmani with my parents and Shohoj. The Jagannath Dham in Digha had not opened doors yet. Baba suddenly said, 'Let's just go on a road trip to Puri, it's just a few hours away. ' So off we went, totally unplanned. When we reached, we got a hassle-free darshan . The weather was perfect, and surprisingly, it wasn't even much crowded. That's exactly what people mean when they say 'He pulls you Himself – He orchestrates the entire plan'. Rath er mela holds a special place in my heart. It's not just about papad or khaja, the entire fair is a must-visit Priyanka Sarkar Do you have any special plans for Rath Yatra this year? We don't conduct a grand puja at home as such – it's more of a daily spiritual routine, and the same will happen this year. Shohoj, my son, used to pull the chariot with an idol of Jagannath, one gifted to him by my mother till last year, but I am not sure if he will do it this year since he thinks he's outgrown it, and this activity is meant for kids. Today you're shooting inside Ramgopal Saha's mansion in Bowbazar, they also host a grand Durga Puja that is over a century-old. Would you like to return here during Pujo? Shooting in the mansion feels truly special. The house perfectly captures everything I love about north Kolkata. Every house in this area carries a distinct charm. This shoot feels special to me since Rath Yatra also marks the countdown to Durga Puja. On this day, you see Khuti pujo happening in so many places. I would love to return to the mansion during Pujo. With many friends hosting bonedi barir pujos, I make it a point to visit each one at least once every year. There's something so beautiful and intimate about these centuries-old pujos. It is more of a personal tradition now to have Ashtami bhog at one place and Nabami lunch at another. Priyanka decorating a Rath Earliest Rath Yatra memories 'The earliest memory I have of Rath Yatra is also the most exciting,' says Priyanka, adding, 'I'd rush home from school to decorate the rath.' She would use everything from flowers to marble paper to decorate it and collect material for weeks in advance. 'Baba would take out the rath and clean it the day before.' That time of year also meant a fun little income. 'We'd take the rath out, ring a bell, hand out prasad, and people would give us ₹2 or ₹5. It was such fun!' Her maternal uncle's house was nearby, so the rath would be taken there on the festival day and brought back on Ulta Rath. 'There was always a feast waiting for us, and a more pocket money too,' she laughs. Decorating the rath, making sure the idols stayed in place, and upgrading from ek tala to teen tala rath made me feel so special as a kid Priyanka Sarkar 'Rath er mela holds a special place in my heart' Rath er mela holds a special place in Priyanka's heart for more reasons than one. 'I love street food, so for me, it's not just about papad or khaja – the entire fair is a must-visit,' she says. In fact, she even went to a mela last year. She adds, 'From ghugni to kulfi, there's so much to enjoy. The whole experience is something I look forward to every year.' Jilipi, a Rath Yatra delicacy Rath delicacies on Priyanka's plate: Papad bhaja Khaja Vegetarian homemade delicacies
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Tana chokh and ekchala idols make a comeback
As approaches on June 27, Kolkata begins to buzz with the early approaching Durga Puja. While the city celebrates the chariot journey of Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra, the day holds a significance in Kumartuli as many Pujo committees offer their bayna (token booking) to artisans, while some perform khuti pujo. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Together, these customs signal the ceremonial start of Durga Puja preparations. With artisans hoping for a strong season, the lanes of Kumartuli are alive with emotion, purpose, and the unmistakable thrill of the season ahead. 'We've already shipped 35 idols globally in 2025' With Bengali communities celebrating Pujo across continents, artisan Kaushik Pal, who caters to international orders, says the goddess has gone global. He said: 'This year, almost 35 idols have already been shipped to the USA, Germany, Italy, London & Canada. We're still to ship to Vienna, Dubai, Singapore, and LA.' High demand in Kumartuli this Rath Yatra Kumartuli artisans are hopeful for a strong season ahead as early signs point to a positive year for business, as confirmed by Babu Pal. He shared that last year's sales had dipped following a tragic incident. With more enquiries pouring in from major Puja committees and a noticeable willingness to accommodate a 10–12% price hike, things are looking up. 'The real business happens on Rath Yatra, when committees make their bookings with a token amount,' he said. There's also a demand for sabeki idols globally. Operation Sindoor, travel to space among top Pujo themes 'My team is working 24x7' Veteran artist China Pal is racing against time, juggling Ganesh and Durga idols for the upcoming festival season. 'All my team is working almost 24x7,' she said. 'In August, there's Ganesh Puja, and by end of September, it's Durga Puja — we're running out of time.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Traditional idols with wide, almond-shaped eyes and the ekchala style are in high demand, especially from housing societies. 'We're hoping enquiries from clubs turn into bookings on Rath Yatra,' she added. On rising prices, she said, 'The price of raw materials has shot up. We're quoting accordingly — otherwise we can't survive.' Pandal themes that are trending for Pujo this year Suruchi Sangha: The club dives into history this year with a theme that promises something historical — marking artist Anirban Das's debut with the club and, as Swarup Biswas says: 'It will be unique.' Ballygunge Cultural Association: Marking its 75th year, the club has picked the theme Protha (rituals), confirms Saptarshi Basu, without revealing how it unfolds into a Durga Puja narrative Mudiali Club: Staying true to tradition with its iconic idol unchanged for three generations, this year's theme, inner conscience, is brought to life by artist Biman Saha in what Ashok Dey calls a 'beautiful' execution. Tridhara Sammilani: Tridhara Sammilani is still locking in this year's theme, but Debasish Kumar confirmed a five-day live performance tied to it, adding, 'there will be a live performance of our Durga Puja theme.' Santosh Mitra Square: Operation Sindoor has been chosen as the theme. Ekdalia Evergreen Club: The theme is Arunachaleswarar Temple this year Sreebhumi Sporting Club: They have picked the theme of the International Space Station. Quotes: Almost all international committees chose the tana chokh (wide-eyed) style, which symbolises divine power, strength, and Ma's role as a protector in these trying times– Kaushik Pal, artisan Demand for classic ekchala idols with Durga & her children are placed under a canopy, is strong, particularly in in ternational markets – Babu Pal, secretary and spokesperson, Kumartuli Mritshilpa Sanskriti Samiti I'm currently working on the theme Rupantar, or transformation for Nalin Sarkar Street Durga Puja. I'm also designing Kalikapur's Udayan Pally idol. The message is rooted in humanity and a call to say no to war– Sanatan Dinda, artist
