Durga Puja celebrated on grand scale in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: The ardent beating of dhaks, whiff of coconut fibre smoke, chanting of mantras echoed the pandals dotted in the Port city. The Probashi Bengali communities in the city welcomed Goddess Durga Maa on the day marked as 'panchami.'

The essence of the festivity brings the joy of togetherness among the community members. We bring you the sights and celebrations of Durga Puja festivity in the city.'

Bengali Association in One Town

One of the oldest Bengali community in the old buildings and narrow lanes of one town, has a nostalgic spirit of its own. The community members actively participate in cultural as well as the pooja ritual, be it 'dhunuchi dance' or 'bhog' distribution.

Cultural programmes like musical chair, alpona, Boogie Woogie dance competition, orchestra performance had always raised the spirt among the club members. Evidently, most of the members of the club prefers celebrating the festivity in Visakhapatnam instead of hometown. During ' Navami' morning traditional 'dhunuchi ' dance on the beats of drums lights up the festivity.

Waltair Kalibari

The second oldest Bengali community, where thousands of devotees throngs throughout the four days of the pooja, " During 1961 the celebrations was only for the railway employees and as the time passed members from all the communities were welcomed." said President of Waltair Kalibari Krishnendu Chowdhury.

He further revealed that or Bhog Khichadi, mixed vegetable curry, chutney and paiyesh is prepared for 3,000 to 6,000 people every year. This year the community plans on boycotting plastic in the festivity. Nevertheless, every year they donate money for a cause.

AMCOSA

Amidst fervent beats of the dhaks, one could witness ladies decked up in their best ethnic clad and men dressed in kurta taking part in ritual preparations right from' Mahalaya'. "We organised cultural programmes which includes dance performances on Bollywood numbers by the members of the community" said P K Dutta. The port city has few other spots like Ashoka Park, Steel plant and other local pandals where Navratri is being celebrated.