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Even before the arrival of Shardiya Navratri and the great festival Durga Puja, an atmosphere of celebration, enthusiasm and spiritual energy has started spreading all over Bihar. From the capital Patna to all the districts of the state, the work of construction of grand puja pandals and finalizing the beautiful idols of Maa Durga has started on war footing. As the date of Mahashashthi is coming closer, there is a rush of buyers in the markets and decorations of lights on the streets. However, this time the administration has geared up for the events and very strict instructions have been issued on the security front. Especially in the capital Patna, it has been made mandatory to install 24-hour CCTV cameras in about 900 big puja pandals to control law and order, women’s safety and overcrowding. In this special report, let us know in detail how the preparations for Durga Puja are going on in Bihar this time and what is the meaning of the new guidelines of the administration.
Strict security arrangements and CCTV mandatory in 900 big pandals of Patna
Every year, during Durga Puja in Patna, the capital of Bihar, lakhs of devotees come out to visit different historical and grand pandals. The huge theme based pandals built in prominent areas like Dakbangla Square, Boring Road, Fraser Road, Raja Bazaar and Kankarbagh are known for their unique art across the country. Keeping security and accessibility paramount, the district administration and police department have jointly issued instructions that CCTV cameras will have to be installed in all the more than 900 big puja pandals of the city, which will keep a close watch on every activity. Along with this, the committees have been asked to deploy their volunteers with I-cards so that any untoward situation or miscreants can be immediately curbed.
Administrative Guidelines: Height of pandals fixed and complete ban on DJs
This time, the government has taken many strict and important steps to ensure safety as well as environmental and administrative rules are followed. Citing the rules of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the administration has clarified that the maximum height of any puja pandal and the size of the idols will have to be kept within a certain limit. Apart from this, the use of environment-friendly Plaster of Paris (POP) and chemical colors in the construction of idols has been banned. The biggest decision taken is that there will be a complete ban on the use of DJs during pandal complexes and immersion processions, so that noise pollution and hooliganism can be controlled. Keeping in mind the electricity security, the Energy Corporation (PESU) has also instructed all the committees to take valid and temporary connections and do quality wiring.
Administration’s strict stance regarding conservation of river Ganga, artificial ponds will be constructed
Every year, concerns about the environment and cleanliness of rivers have been raised regarding idol immersion during Durga Puja. Keeping this in mind, this time the administration has taken a tough stand and made it clear that immersion of idols within the main river Ganga will not be allowed under any circumstances. As an alternative to this, large and safe artificial ponds are being constructed near various ghats by the Municipal Corporation and the local administration, where all the puja committees will be able to immerse the idols of the Mother Goddess with full faith and discipline. With this step, on one hand, religious traditions can be followed safely, on the other hand, it will also help a lot in protecting the holy river Ganga from pollution.
Expected to become a historic festival amid public enthusiasm and administrative vigilance
Durga Puja in Bihar is not just a religious festival, but it is a Mahakumbh of mutual brotherhood, culture and social harmony in which people of every class and religion participate. The theme of pandals, attractive electrical decorations and streets echoing with the cheers of Maa are already testifying that this year’s festival is going to break all the previous records. On one hand, while the puja committees are busy finalizing their preparations, on the other hand, the vigilance and strict rules of the administration are guaranteeing that this time the great festival will be conducted in a completely peaceful, safe and orderly manner. This holy land of Bihar is once again completely ready to be drenched in the colors of devotion with the chants of Mother Goddess and the beats of drums.