Mandap themes will be a major attraction this year

Kolkata: Theme-based mandaps of Durga Puja built at different parts of the city have been attracting lakhs of pandal hoppers for the past many years.

This year there is no need to worry if one cannot visit their favourite Puja mandap as they can get a glimpse of the theme even after immersion, though in a smaller form, in the Durga Puja carnival organised by the Bengal government on Red Road. The carnival was brainchild of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and it stated in 2016. This year it is going to be held on October 3 that is on the third day after Dasami.

This year 55 of the "best Pujas" will be taking part in the carnival.

With hundreds of people sitting in the make shift galleries on both sides along the Red Road, idols of each of the best Puja organisers usually pass one after the other on heavy trucks followed by folk artistes, bauls and drummers.

Some representatives of the puja organisers, clad in traditional dhoti and kurta, walk ahead of the trucks carrying the idols.

With previous year's experience, the officials of the state government had noted that the bare trucks which carried the idols did not suit the glamour of the entire event. Keeping this in mind, the Puja organisers who will be taking part in the carnival will be asked to decorate the trucks so that it looks attractive.

It is learnt that the organisers will be asked to decorate the trucks keeping parity with the theme based on which their Puja mandaps are coming up.

The matter has been discussed during a meeting held at the state Secretariat a few days back.

It will not only help in making the carnival attractive, but people will get to see a new sort of creativity by artists from Bengal, said an official of the state government.

"Moreover pandal hoppers who will miss visiting their favourite Puja mandaps, will also get an opportunity to get at least a glimpse of it in the carnival," the official said.

It may be mentioned that Bengal government is leaving no stone unturned to provide a grand look to the carnival as it would be promoted for the city's tourism sector.

People who will visit Kolkata from different parts of the world during the Puja are also expected to be present in the carnival to watch huge size Durga Idols on decorated trolleys passing along the Red Road amidst music, special lighting arrangement and sounds of drum beats.

The Chief Minister will be present in the event that will start in the evening and will continue for the next few hours.

It may be mentioned that all Puja organisers have been directed to dismantle their Puja mandaps by October 5 as the FIFA Under-17 World Cup will be knocking on the door at that time and ahead of it the city has to be neat and clean.

So the carnival will be giving the last opportunity to people to catch a glimpse of the theme and idols of their favourite Pujas.