Durga Puja celebrations enter second day,Kalibari attracts 5,000 visitors on Day 1

“From the second day onwards,the number of visitors are expected to increase to 10,000 and we have installed three TV screens outside the premises for those who cannot gain entry inside due to overcrowding,” says the cultural in-charge S Mitra. Keeping in mind the management of the large crowd witnessed in the evenings,this year,there is barricading and diversions in the Kalibari with the main entrance now leading directly to the auditorium. The side entrance leads to the temple with a separate exit gate at the back where around 30 food and cosmetic stalls have been put up.

“Every year,the main attraction on the first day,Agomoni,is performed with a theme,which was the idealistic character of Mahishasur this time,” says Arup Mukherjee,in-charge of Agomoni. He says that this is the first time that Goddess Durga will perform with all ten arms.

Also,for the first time,there are only girls performers in the skit,thirty five in number and all of them are students of dance at Kalibari. The rehearsals have been on for the past two months.

In the upcoming week too,there are various cultural events and competitions scheduled for devotees,including modern dance,recitations and competitions like Shankhdwani .

Members say that they start preparing for the festival months in advance. “We started collecting donations and sending out invitation two months in advance. Many members of the organizing committee,” says president N K Das.

The students performing at various cultural programmes are from all faiths,including Sikh and Christian,and have come from as far as Solan and Ambala,say the organizers. They received around 150 nominations this year,and auditions were organised to select the 40 participants. Around 20,000 visitors are expected on the final day.