The New Age Of Celebration

Durga Puja celebrations in the city of Guwahati has evolved and grown over the years

- Manjum Mahanta

When it comes to Durga Puja celebrations, it is hard to beat Kolkata. But over the years, Guwahatians have really embraced the festival and made it their own in more ways than one. Even though Bihu remains the most important festival, Durga Puja is not far behind. Bright lights adorning buildings, long lines at sweetmeat shops, people of all ages sporting their best traditional wear, devotional music resounding in the streets, and the smell of incense enveloping the city, all adds to the charm of the festivities. The vibe across the city is one of joy and celebration.

It is surprising to note that there are over 500 puja pandals in Guwahati, and the number has only continued to grow every year. Over the years, Puja committees across Guwahati have strived to decorate pandals with interesting themes to create a buzz among the pandal-hopping crowd. In fact, the best theme-based decoration in 2018 was awarded to Athgaon Sarvajanin Durga Puja Samiti Pandal and Bishnupur High School. Other Puja venues in the city that attract a lot of visitors include Geetanager Field and Rest Camp, Pandu, where people can enjoy live music, indulge in street food, and shop for trinkets. Kamarpatty Sarbajanin Durga Puja at Kamarpatty area is also popular for their giant demon, which is the main attraction.

From water guns to sophisticated toys, simple snacks to a variety of cuisines, regular idols to idols made with recycled and biodegradable materials, we take a look at how Durga Puja has evolved over the years and what to look forward to this year.

The History