CHENNAI: The 82nd Durga Pooja Celebrations commenced at the Bengal Association on Sunday at their premises in T Nagar. The pooja was inaugurated by founder of Sankara Nethralaya S S Badrinath in the evening followed by a cultural programme, where children danced and sang to their hearts content. “The preparations for the pooja along with the rehearsals began two months ago. The reason we host cultural programmes is to give the children yet another chance to showcase their talents to their family and friends,” says Arup Ratan Deb Roy, member of the executive committee.
Apart from the rehearsals, the pooja and the festival itself calls for a lot of time and preparation. “The cooks and the priest are called here from Kolkata to conduct the pooja and make bhog. Also, we bring in local artisans from Kolkata, who come to Chennai and make the idols every year,” he says The Bengali society in the city, spend most of their time during the five pooja days at the Association. They also bring in snacks to share with members and relatives. Free lunch (prasadham) is also provided. On October 19, the Sasthi Puja was conducted in the morning and Amantran pooja in the evening. On October 20, the Maha Saptami Puja will be conducted by 6 am. For details, call 04428340557.