Every year the Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal attract a crowd of thousands of people. These pandals are decked up lavishly and are based on unique themes. The photos and videos of the pandals often go viral, thanks to social media content creators. However, now it appears that some pandal organisers are going to limit the relentless photography and videography at pandals. On Tuesday, X user Swati Moitra shared a picture of a notice put up by the Purbachal Shakti Sangha, a popular club that hosts a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. The notice said, “No YouTuber allowed”. While sharing this image, Swati Moitra wrote, “Kolkata pujos have had it”. Commenting on it, an X user wrote, “This should be everywhere, they are a nuisance these days”. Another person wrote, “Good decision. And instagram influencers too. Those reel makers are annoying,” wrote a third. An X user noted that some other pandal organisers have also posted similar notices and wrote, “This is a good decision! Seems the Bonedi Bari’s have had it too!”. This year, Durga Puja is being celebrated from October 20 to October 24, 2023. Last year, three Durga puja pandals in Kolkata — Bakulbagan Sarbojanin, Hindusthan Park Sarbojanin, and Sovabazar Burtola Sarbojanin — based their pandals on Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh’s paintings. The Shree Bhoomi Sporting Club, which is famous for its elaborate and unique pandal, based their theme on the Vatican City. For this, the club has created its marquee as a replica of the Vatican City’s St Peter’s Basilica.
