Women's Safety and Folk Art in Focus at Durga Puja Celebrations in the NCR
The pandal set up by Bangiya Parishad resembles Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s Barnaparichay While most Durga Puja pandals celebrate Bengali folk arts and heritage, some in NCR are embracing the theme ...
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The decoration at the Bangiya Parishad's pandal is reminiscent of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's Barnaparichay. While many Durga Puja pandals in the National Capital Region celebrate Bengali culture and heritage, some are focusing on the theme of women's safety to empower goddesses in everyday life. Examples include the Kashi Vishwanath-inspired pandal in B-Block, the daaker saaj-style idol at Mela Ground, and the alpona motifs at Kali Mandir pandal, all highlighting heritage in CR Park. Additionally, the Milani Cultural and Welfare Association's pandal is dedicated to women's empowerment, aiming to raise awareness and sensitivity toward women's safety through artwork. The theme at Mayur Vihar Ph-1 pandal features hand-painted pankhas, while Sec 56 in Gurgaon is showcasing Barnaporichoy, an introduction to the Bengali alphabet. The Cooperative Ground Durga Puja Samity's pandal pays tribute to rural Bangla, celebrating painter Jamini Roy and incorporating rustic elements like haath pankha, gamcha, and Bengali handicrafts. At Durgotsab GK 2, the Kalighat-style patachitra art on the ceiling is designed as a visual sankirtan, and a sketch by artist Nilanjan honors the workers who built the pandal.Pandal 40 in CR Park is showcasing traditional folk art from four regions of Bengal - Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, and Midnapur, known for their rich red soil. Adorned with gamcha, the walls and panels display the rural heritage of Rahr Bangla areas in Bengal. Ashish, a school teacher and artist, was putting final touches on a shora, hand-painted earthen discs, at Pocket 40 pandal.

The theme "Abandoned Mothers" at Arambagh Puja Samiti's pandal sheds light on the challenges faced by widows navigating life on their own. Matri Mandir's pandal takes visitors on a captivating journey into the heart of gram Bangla with vibrant Bengali artwork on display in its alleys and panels.

At Jalvayu Vihar Sanskritik Kalyan Samity's pandal in Sector 21, artists from Bengal have crafted a Bonedi Bari adorned with green wooden windows and cross beams. The pandal celebrates dhunuchi naach with painted panels.

Balaka Durgotsav in Sector 61, Noida, commemorates the "Temple of Peace and Harmony" with an off-white and gold pandal featuring intricate cut-outs of doves. Noida Sector 137 Sarbojanin Pujo Samiti's pandal showcases hand-painted kulos, traditional hand-woven sieves made of bamboo or cane.

Inspired by the film "Sonnar Kella" (1974), DCDP Bengali Cultural Society in DLF Phase IV honors Satyajit Ray's cinema and the Ray family's legacy - Upendra Kishor, Sukumar, and Satyajit Ray. The pandal's facade resembles the golden fortress from the film.

Mayur Vihar Phase 3's pandal celebrates Bengali culture and Durga Puja festivities.The image bears a resemblance to the Sun Temple of Konark. Photographers include Ajay Kumar Gautam, Ranjit Kumar, Lokesh Kashyap, and Nishad Alam.