Updated: September 18, 2020 6:23:34 am
In Mahalaya, idol makers and artists often draw the attention of Devi Durga, a ritual known as “chokkhu daan.” However, this time it did not happen because Durga Puja begins more than a month later, on October 22.
Thousands of people offered ‘tarpan’ on the auspicious occasion of Mahalaya in West Bengal on Thursday, violating the rules of social distancing. Although several wore masks, the people failed to maintain a minimum one meter gap from each other while offering payers for the souls of their deceased ancestors on the banks of various rivers.
In the Hooghly River, hundreds of people took a dip in the water this time without adhering to safety precautions. Babu Ghat, Princep Ghat, Golabari Ghat and others were full of people from early in the morning.
Meanwhile, the river traffic police kept a strict watch along the various ghats to avoid any adverse incidents. The Kolkata police made proper security arrangements in all 18 Kolkata ghats. Senior police officers were posted on the ghats while civic police volunteers were deployed to manage the crowds.
Similarly, across the state, people offered prayers and bathed in rivers.
In Mahalaya, idol makers and artists often draw the attention of Devi Durga, a ritual known as “chokkhu daan.” However, this time it did not happen because Durga Puja begins more than a month later, on October 22.
This has happened because the Bengali month of Kartik that starts on Friday is a ‘mala mash’ or lunar month, which is considered unfavorable for any religious or social holiday. The Vishwakarma Puja, which is traditionally celebrated each year on September 17, has also coincided with the Mahalaya this time.
Meanwhile, the Mahalaya occasion became a point of contention between the TMC and the BJP, as leaders of both parties offered prayers in memory of their party workers who were allegedly killed in political violence in the state.
On Wednesday, the police prevented the BJP from organizing its “shahid tarpan” event at Bagbazar Ghat and dismantled a stage that was enabled for the program. Later, the BJP changed its program to Golabari Ghat.
On Thursday, BJP Mahila Morcha State President Agnimitra Paul offered her prayers on the bank of the Mahananda River in Siliguri. At the Gandheshwari River in Bankura district, BJP State Vice President Raju Banerjee offered tarpan, praying for the deceased souls of his party workers.
“Today I offered prayers for my ancestors and for 112 party workers who were killed in political violence in the state by the TMC. I also prayed for peace in Bengal and asked Goddess Durga to free us from the coronavirus, ”said Paul.
Similarly, Minister of State and TMC leader Shyamal Santra offered prayers for his party’s workers on the Dwarakeswar River in Bankura district. “On this auspicious occasion, I offer my prayers for the souls of thousands of our workers who were killed in political violence,” Santra said.
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