Bhowanipore 75 Pally: Glimpses of London in Kolkata this Durga Puja

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's dream of turning Kolkata into London is being portrayed by Bhowanipore 75 Pally through its theme Aamar Swapno Bhowanipure… London in its 53rd year.

"There are quite a number of places in London that are similar to old Kolkata. This area in Bhowanipore has a touch of old Kolkata. We are trying to give the pandal hoppers the feel that if certain changes are made to the houses situated on either side of the pandal, it will be like those in London. It is our effort to provide an idea that Kolkata can be London and our CM's dream can well be a reality," Biman Saha, the theme-maker said.

The deity is given an alluring look with the use of Mahogany wood, Brass and Dokra artworks which assemble the look of yesteryears. The idol is made in North Bengal and some members of the Gorkha community has also engaged themselves in making the deity. "There may be political differences but when it comes to worshipping the goddess there should not be any discrimination," Saha said.

"The gate of the pandal will be a model of the Big Ben in London, the stage on which the deities will be placed will look like the London Bridge and the Westminster too will be recreated to give a feel of the place. The street lights will also glow in a way similar to the streets in London." Though our theme is different but Chief Minister's pet project Kanyashree that won international acclaim at The Hague will also be highlighted," Subhas Chandra Chanda, the club's treasurer said.

Since 2017 is the Indo-UK year of culture, the Club has tied up with British Council and London Sharod Utsav.

"The main strictures of our puja can be viewed in London and vice versa. Post puja we are planning to install the idol permanently in any one of the famous institutions of UK like a British museum or London University," club secretary Subir Das said.

CM Mamata Banerjee is expected to inaugurate the Puja. She will also hold a video conference with the Puja organisers of "London Sharad Utsav" held at Cambridge University on that day.

The theme music and song have been composed by famous percussionist Abhishek Basu.

The Puja will have a special counter with wheel chairs and stretchers. They will also have first-aid camps with ambulance facilities. There will be a VIP entrance too but senior citizens; differently-abled visitors and pregnant women will not require cards to take the route. The volunteers of the Puja Committee would assist them.