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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee inaugurates `Panchajanya sailboat-themed Manicktala Chaltabagan Durga Puja

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 28 Sep 2019, 02:17 pm

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee flagged off her 2019 Puja inauguration from Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Friday in the presence of Sundeep Bhutoria, Chairman, Manicktala Chaltabagan Durga Puja, Sudip Bandhopadhyay, Sadhan Pande, Paresh Pal, Smita Bakshi, Minakshi Gupta, Mala Saha, Swarnakamal Saha and other dignitaries.

“I had heard much about Chaltabagan and this year I decided to start from here,” Mamata Banerjee said. She lauded the Puja Committee for the excellent craftmanship reflected in the pandal and the Durga pratima.

Welcoming the Chief Minister and the dignitaries, Sundeep Bhutoria, Chairman, Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Duga Puja Committee said, “It is a great honour for Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja to have Honorable Chief Minister to inaugurate our Puja. This year, the pandal at Chaltabagan Durga Puja has been decked up in the shape of Panchajanya sailboat named “Sonar tori” symbolically heralding the winds of peace, harmony and unity,”

Chaltabagan Durga Puja has always come up with innovative ideas projected in themes. The theme for this 77th year is “Panchajanya” sail boat or “Sonar Tori”. Lord Krishna blew his conch Panchajanya to mark the conclusion of Kurukshetra war and bloodshed and announce peace. Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, would be inaugurating the Puja on 27 September 2019.

Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja is one of the most popular Pujas of Kolkata. Over the years Chaltabagan Puja has many firsts to its credit having popularized events like khunti puja, sindur khela, dhak mahotsav in Kolkata. The Puja Committee is also engaged in various social welfare activities during the Pujas including helping the marginalized and providing medical assistance to the needy. Chaltabagan puja has also used solar lights extensively to light up the mandap at night.

Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja is being celebrated since 1943. It has been able to maintain its unique artistic identity by presenting new themes that are beautiful, innovative, and environment-friendly.