October 21, 2020 7:10:42 pm
Md Ali Durga Puja pandal at Central Revenue in Kolkata. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)
In an attempt to highlight the brave struggles of COVID-19 frontline warriors, a popular Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata has replaced the traditional idol of Mahishasura with that of ‘Crown’. The Mohammad Ali Park Youth Association, for its 52nd Durga Puja celebrations, has used idols of masked policemen and doctors to make an important security statement in the pandemic.
Talking with indianexpress.com, Ashok Ojha of Md Ali Park Durga Puja, said: “Replacing asura ‘s idol with that of a ‘crown demon’, we pray that the Goddess kills the virus, in the same way that she killed Mahishasura. So, it is not Mahishasura but Coronasura this year. Our purpose is to make people aware of the importance of wearing masks and maintaining the rules of social distancing ”.
The idol maker has put up beautiful sculptures of doctors, nurses, police officers and ordinary people with their masks on, to show everyone’s plight during the pandemic.
The organizers have already erected a barricade at a distance of 10 meters from the main open-air pandal.
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The idol maker has put up beautiful sculptures of doctors, nurses, police officers and ordinary people with their masks on, to show everyone’s plight during the pandemic. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)
“Taking into account all directives, we had already kept the pandal open from three sides and now, with the order of the High Court, we have put up ‘no entry’ signs to prevent people from entering the premises,” added Ojha.
Md Ali Park, one of the most popular places in Durga Puja, has been affected by the pandemic. Your budget this year has been reduced by at least 75 percent; From a budget of Rs 50-60 lakh, they have dropped to Rs 15 lakh. Also, for the first time in 52 years, the organizers here have placed a unique platform idol.
Surendra Kr Sharma, the Secretary General of Md. Ali Park Durga Puja, said: “Artisan Kush Bera, along with his two sons, started working on this idol around June 2020. The 12 foot long idol is made and decorated with clay. No other decorative pieces have been used. He had poked pins into Mahishasura and covered it with clay for transformation to occur. Like all people, we also believe that Maa Durga will end the deadly pandemic. “
The craftsman prodded Mahishasura with pins and covered him with clay to make it look like the virus. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)
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This famous puja had started in 1969 on Tara Chand Dutta Street, but due to its growing popularity, it was moved to Md Ali Park. Last year the arrangements were moved further for safety reasons and now it is organized in the fire field.
Last year, there was a subsidence as a result of which cracks developed in the walls of an underground reservoir from the British era. After inspection by civic officials, fire personnel and experts from Jadavpur University, it was decided to change the bid for safety reasons.
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