Durga Johri re-elected president of Daltonganj Durga Puja Mahasamiti for 12th consecutive term
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, September 21: Durga Johri has been unanimously re-elected president of the Sri Kendriya Durga Puja Mahasamiti, Daltonganj,…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, September 21: Durga Johri has been unanimously re-elected president of the Sri Kendriya Durga Puja Mahasamiti, Daltonganj, for the 12th consecutive year, marking a record run of leadership, according to sources.
Johri was declared elected at a meeting held at the Durga Mandap in Daltonganj late Sunday evening. He is a senior BJP leader from Palamu.
Johri calls for inclusive Durga Puja
After his re-election, Johri said the continued confidence of the community placed a greater responsibility on him.
“It’s a great trust that people have reposed in me. I feel I have a bigger task. I will try to deliver,” he said.
At the meeting, Johri also called for an inclusive approach to Durga Puja celebrations, saying people from different communities should feel equally connected to the festivities.
“Let no community feel this occasion is any less festive for them. Apnayiat (oneness) is to be promoted,” he said.
He added that the Mahasamiti would coordinate with different Durga Puja pandals across Palamu to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
Mahasamiti reports ₹1.77 lakh income and expenditure
As part of the longstanding practice, the Mahasamiti presented its previous year’s income and expenditure statement at the meeting.
Johri said the 2025 Durga Puja involved income and expenditure of around ₹1.77 lakh.
He said the cost of organising and maintaining the celebrations is expected to increase this year because of rising prices. Johri added that the Mahasamiti does not seek public donations and manages the expenses through its internal resources.
More than 600 puja pandals in Palamu
According to police sources cited in the report, more than 600 Durga Puja pandals were set up across Palamu district during the 2025 celebrations.
While artisans from other places, including outside Jharkhand, are sometimes brought in for pandal decoration, local priests traditionally conduct the religious rituals, according to sources.
Traditional dhakis from West Bengal also travel to Palamu during Durga Puja, as the district does not have its own established group of traditional drummers, sources said.
Kans grass heralds arrival of Puja in Palamu
The appearance of Kans grass, with its distinctive silky white flowers, along the riverbeds is traditionally seen by locals as a sign of the arrival of Durga Puja in Palamu.
The district is crossed by the Oranga, Koyel and Amanat rivers, besides several smaller rivulets. Local belief holds that abundant growth of Kans grass signals a more vibrant Durga Puja season.
This year, Palamu has witnessed substantial growth of Kans grass, which locals also regard as a positive sign for the festival season.
