Spreading the message of oneness this Durga puja

Lodi Road Sarbojanin Puja Samity is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee this year

Durga Puja is being celebrated with much enthusiasm by the capital's Bengali community, as various cultural programs, feasts and fests have been organised at several pujo pandals and venues across the city.

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

Durga Puja at Lodhi Road always remains a special attraction for people close to art, as one will get lost in the beauty of the pandal / marquee made on different themes every year. It is an eye catcher puja of the city for innovative concept of celebration and unique style of pandals having largest footfalls.

Speaking on the occasion Debashis Panja, General Secretary of Samity said, “This Puja started in 1945 at the same Park with the initiatives of some energetic, devoted and dedicated people of the locality. The Samity faced many ups and downs, but with the blessings of Maa Durga, we continued with our willful endeavor and today, we are celebrating our platinum jubilee.”

“This year's theme is Belur Math which symbolises love for humanity, irrespective of caste and religion,” added Panja.

Elaborating on the spirit of oneness, Panja said, “Our mission is to spread the message of love and humanity. We aspire to rise above the narrow divides of caste, colour, religion and ideology. We choose Ramakrishna Paramhans, Sree Sarada Maa and Swami Vivekananda as the role model who spread their universal messages – “Love for Humanity and serve to

living things are the best religion and serve to Almighty”.

Talking about and this year's attraction Panja, said, “We are doing exclusive decoration for pratima (idol) of Maa Durga with ‘Daker Saaj'– special illumination (lighting) from Chandannagore (Calcutta), and among others, through one lighting gate, we will salute India and Indian ärmy. Artisans have come from Kolkata for decoration of entire marquee“.

“A number of devotees visit our pandal each day for delicious Bhog which will be served on ecofriendly plates made from areca

leaf. The enigmatic celebration will witness added glamour and cultural extravaganza as renowned artists from Kolkata will be performing live.”

Dignitaries like Delhi C M Arvind Kejriwal, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural gas are

likely to visit during festival. “Our entire team is fully charged up for this year as well. We are confident that people would appreciate our efforts like always” he concluded.