Of Fun & Festivities

The Navratri celebrations have begun and different communities and groups are basking in the richness of the festive culture.

From offering prayers to Goddess Durga to skillfully wielding dandiya sticks,the city is all geared up for Navratri

The Navratri celebrations have begun and different communities and groups are basking in the richness of the festive culture. Nandanik,a group formed by the Bengali community in Kalyaninagar,strives to bring the excitement of the Durga Puja celebrations of West Bengal to the city through the Kalyaninagar Durgotsav to be held at Rohi Villa,Lane-7,Koregaon Park from October 1 to 11. The Bengali community here is closely involved in the pujas and every member of the community is given some responsibility or the other during the celebrations, says Utpal Mazumder,member of Nandanik. Bengali plays and songs,Dhanuchi dances and art exhibitions are organised for those who want to bask in Bengali culture whereas sit and draw,spelling,and talent competitions will be held for the enjoyment of the children.We have invited Pratab caterers from Kolkata to manage the food and beverages,so everything from the samosa to the khicudi will have authentic flavours from Kolkata, Mazumder adds.

The 72-year-old Durga Puja of the city at Congress Bhavan started its celebrations on September 27 with the Mahalaya puja. It will close with the Bijoya Dashami festivities. Professional sculptors from Kolkata were brought in to make six idols of Durga,each approximately 20-feet high, informs Rajesh Burman,general secretary,Mangiya Sansriti Samsad.

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Malls and shops are out with special sales for Navratri. But purchasing an idol can still burn a hole in your pocket this year with a 20-25 per cent rise in prices. A one-foot idol is Rs 800 whereas a seven-ft high idol can cost upto Rs 16000, informs Chandrakanth Dagdu Kumbhar,shop owner at Kumbharwada. This year,the Kolhapur Ki Durga Bhavani is the newest addition to the variety of idols. People are also purchasing idols of Bharatmata,Sherawali and Durga seated on a throne instead of a lion.

Dandiya Nights

* The Dandiya Nite 2011,on October 2,at Krishna Sunder Gardens has a Rajasthani cultural performance by dance troupes from Choki Dhani

* Dholi Taaro at Yash Lawns,Bibvewadi,on October 2 will have people battling it out with their dandiya skills.

* On October 1 and 2,the Navratri Celebrations and Dandiya Raas,at Mulik Lawns,Kalyani Nagar,will have a touch of glamour as television actress Rashmi Desai and Bollywood actress Nisha Kothari will be present.

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* On October 2,you can learn the garba with Dayaben & Jethalal,from the popular sitcom,Tarak Mehta ka Ulta Chasma,at Yash Lawns,Bibvewadi.

* From September 30 to October 2,dandiya nights will be held at Amanora Town Centre. A 10-member band from Ahmedabad will play traditional dandiya songs and other numbers.

* The Pune Navratri Mahila Mahotsav has organised a Dancing Star Competition,the finals of which will be held on October 2 at Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch. The first round was conducted on Sunday.

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durga puja celebrations