PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, April 16: It was Mahaashtami and the aroma of incense sticks and dhuno (holy smoke) filled the air at the Beldih Kalibari here in Bistupur today.
The Basanti Durga Puja celebration entered its 42nd year.
The famous Puja place was bustling with activities as is seen during Durga Puja in autumn season.
Basanti Durga Puja organised in the month of Chaitra-Baisakh is being celebrated at the Kalibari under the banner of Bharatiya Yugavashistha Brahmananda Sangha.
Brahmananda Shastri had started the Basanti Puja, in early 1980’s. Shastri passed away in 2007.
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“There has been a lot of development since the puja started. The footfalls have increased over the years and more people are aware of Durga Puja being celebrated at this time. People have started celebrating the festivals with the usual fanfare and now the mandap looks exactly like sharadiya Durgotsav in the evening with the same charm and aura,” said Monubindu Bhattacharya, the managing trustee of Bharatiya Yugavashistha Brahmananda Sangha.
The Basanti Puja, which started on Sunday, April 14 with the bodhan, witnessed a good footfall at the Kalibari.
The delicious bhog that is served during the Basanti Durga Puja for three days – Mahasaptami, Mahaashtami and Mahanavami attracts a large number of devotees.
The Bhog is made available through coupons priced at Rs 200.
The organisers also arrange cultural programmes for the devotees and visitors who turn up at the Basanti Puja celebration.
