Durga Puja fever has well and truly gripped the National Capital. On Monday on the occasion of Mahanavami, revelers decked up in new clothes as is customary, visited pandals to kick off the Durga Puja celebrations in the right earnest.

Durga Puja celebrated across the country with much zeal, is seen in a very unique flavor in the Delhi NCR. Huge pandals with idols of Goddess Durga are set-up for Durga Puja celebrations, and devotees come in large numbers to offer prayers to the goddess.

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Gaur City Bengali Cultural Association, Greater Noida has made terracotta idols, keeping in mind the pollution. A Committee member said ” We have accepted the city and the city has accepted us with open arms. We invite all people from our society and neighbouring ones. Not only do they support us, they become an integral part of the Puja ceremonies. Their enthusiasm gives the festival a boost and us a feeling of equality and a sense of belonging.”

Paschim Vihar Bengali Association Durga Puja Committee has been awarded with The Best pandal west zone Narayani Namastute Award for their Puja mandap having the theme of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal visited Durga Puja Pandal at Lodhi Road New Delhi on Maha Ashtami day of Durga Puja, yesterday i.e. Sunday 6^th of Oct 2019. He seeks blessings from mother goddess Durga for all well being and good health of Delhiwallas, while offering prayer to Mother Durga.

Lodhi Road Sarbojanin Puja Samity, one of the oldest puja samity of the city– is celebrating its 75^th year, Platinum Jubilee of Durga Puja Festival in a grand manner at Durga Puja Park, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi, from 4^th to 8^th October, 2019. The festival earlier was inaugurated by Secretary, Swami Shantatmananda Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission New Delhi on 3^rd October, 2019.

Speaking on the occasion Debashis Panja, General Secretary of Samity said this Puja started in 1945 at the same Puja Park with the initiatives of some energetic, devoted and dedicated persons of the locality. The Samity faced many ups and downs during its journey. In spite of several odds, with the blessings of Maa Durga, we continued with our willful endeavor and we are now celebrating our platinum jubilee.

He said this is our 75^th year of Matri Bandhana. We have taken theme is “Belur Math” this year which symbolises love for humanity, irrespective of caste and religion.

Keeping up with the global shift towards sustainability, the Durga Puja celebrations in the national capital are being conducted in an eco-friendly manner. Many pandals adopted more environment-friendly measures and Lodi Road puja is no exception.

The Puja committee this year decided to replace their thermocol (Polystyrene) plates, with “pattal,” plates made of tree leaves. “Until last year we were using thermocol plates. This year, we are using betel leaf plates and glasses made of paper. These are biodegradable for distribution of Bhog Prashad” Mr Panja informed.