A majestically decorated puja pandal at Domalguda gives an occasion for Hyderabadi Bengalees to pray, meet, eat and enjoy a wide range of cultural programmes throughout the week.
Over 10,000 devotees are expected to visit the pandal set up by the Hyderabad Bengalee Samiti which has been celebrating the festivals for the last 70 years.
Police commissioner Anurag Sharma inaugurated the pandal on Saturday. Shashti Puja was performed, commencement of celebrations including delight, sumptuous and delicious food for the Bengalees in the city. “It is the biggest festival for Bengalees. In Hyderabad, it started 71 years ago. HBS was formed as an ideal platform for friendship and togetherness. All people, irrespective of the caste, creed, community, religion, rich or poor are invited to participate in the festival,” said Biswajit Mukherjee of HBS.
Apart from the elaborate ‘bhog prasadam’ distribution during Maha Saptami Puja, Maha Ashtami Puja, Maha Nabami Puja between Sunday and Tuesday, goddess Durga sculpted in a special style called ‘Daker Shaj’ would be taken to the Tank Bund in a procession for Visarjan after Dasami Puja on Wednesday.
A Kolkata musical night will be organised on Monday and a musical night by Indian Idol fame Karunya will take place on Tuesday.