New Normal Durga Puja

Durga Puja is one of the best celebrations of West Bengal. It is commended in September — October. It is also known as Durga Utsav, and is the biggest festival of Hindus celebrated for worshipping goddess Durga. This festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil Mahishasura which witness good always triumphs over evil. This festival also represents “Shakti” — the power of women in the Universe. Durga Puja, an annual carnival for Bengalis. On the other hand, like other parts of the world, the ‘city of joy’ has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. In such a situation, how can one celebrate the festival? Can the festival even retain its usual pomp glory? If early indications are anything to go by, Kolkata will witness a dampened Durga Puja this time. Covid-19 has restricted the movement of citizens, making them fearful of the streets. Many Puja organizers arranged for virtual celebrations as people flocked to restaurants and shopping malls in limited numbers. As the city struggles to maintain its Puja heritage in such perilous times, the citizens should also be more aware and priorities the maintenance of safety protocols for the protection of everyone.

Salient feature of virtual Durga Puja:

1. More enjoyment less tiredness: Durga Puja is the festival of joy and Durga Puja in ‘city of joy’ i.e., Kolkata is much more joyful then other festivals. Durga Puja is not just a festival it’s an emotion for Bengal and Bengalis so people enjoys a lot and hop different pandals whole night and eat variety of junk and street food. Through this they suffer from tiredness and after eating unhealthy they face different type of problems. Through virtual people can enjoy puja without tiredness also can stay healthy and safe.
2. Home delivery app to bring bhog (prasadam) to doorstep during Puja: While there are many Durga associations in Kolkata who have been physically lending a helping hand to the devotees during the times of lockdown and social distancing, a group of locals have developed an app to make life easier in the phase of COVID-19. They can order bhog from any of the Puja pandal nearest to their house. Only needed thing is to pay a delivery charge.
3. Sitting at home people can watch various pandal virtually: Cultural celebration, which has been a very important part of the Indian fabric, has gone virtual in this new normal of social distancing. But there is an opportunity for people — despite all the curbs and new way of living — to celebrate. In the last few months we have seen live broadcast on pages literally triple if you look at the month of compared to last year Amid Durga puja preparations and surge in corona virus cases with each passing day, several pandal committees are making arrangements for virtual ‘Darshan’ this time, while barring the physical entry of visitors. People can watch different pandals. This is also a can be a good experiences for us. They can watch different and big pandals sitting back home without going anywhere.
4. Sitting at home we can protect ourselves and our family from covid-19: The year 2020 has been like no other. Experts have predicted that the case tally will see a spike if the Puja festivities proceed sans restrictions and guidelines. And on the eve of the gala, the Calcutta High Court declared that all Durga Puja pandals were no entry zones and later, in a revised order increased the number of people who are allowed inside the pandal at a time. This is very crucial time for us and for our state and country so we can enjoy puja virtually to protect ourselves and our country.
5. Online food businesses increases: Food businesses in durga puja is one biggest and profitable businesses and biggest source of income for many people who depend on puja but in this pandemic they suffered a lot because many people are avoiding street food for maintaining their hygiene and reducing the fear of covid-19 but ordering online food. Which tend to increase the online food business in parallel .Food delivery is set to be one of the biggest business in this Durga Puja in Kolkata, where the concepts of ‘cloud kitchen’ have gained overnight popularity due to the restrictions forced by COVID-19.