PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Oct 2: Jamshedpur Durga Puja Kendriya Samiti ( JDPKS ), the apex body which monitors pujas in steel city has granted permission for two new community pujas this year.
This will take the total count of pujas in Jamshedpur to 350.
Last year no new pujas were added due to the Covid pandemic. Jamshedpur saw 348 community pujas last year.
The two new pujas will be organised – one at Sonari and the other close to NH-33 near Vasundhara Estate at Mango.
Functionaries of JDPKS said the two new puja organisers have been asked to strictly follow the government’s Covid-19 guidelines.
Jamshedpur Durga Puja Kendriya Samiti will hold a meeting next week for reviewing the puja preparations.
The five-day Puja will be organised beginning Maha Sasthi on October 11. Those who follow Navratri will begin the rituals with ‘kalash sthapna’ on October 7.
The government guidelines issued last month allowed the construction of Durga Puja pandals but the entry of devotees would be prohibited at pandals and inside pandals, a maximum of 25 persons (or 50 per cent of capacity) would be allowed at one point of time.
Fairs, welcome gates, illumination with fancy lights, cultural programs, distribution of bhog and theme-based pandals have been strictly prohibited.
There will be no immersion procession on October 15 ( Maha Dashami). Dhakis have been permitted but restrictions have been imposed on idols of Durga which should not be beyond 5 feet.
