Durga puja committees in Kolkata arrange giant screens for darshan, app for online pushpanjali

Several puja committees in Kolkata made last-minute changes to keep up the festive spirit as well as traditional rituals. Giant screens have been installed outside many pandals for “darshan” (glimpse of the deities) and virtual “pushpanjali” (ritual of offering flowers to god) will be arranged for devotees at home.  

Unlike any year, Kolkata recorded a low footfall of pandal hoppers this year. With “no entry” boards making pandals out of bounds, the thin crowd mainly comprised youngsters.

Durga Puja pandals, organisers made last-minute changes to keep up the festive spirit as well as traditional rituals. Giant screens have been installed outside many pandals for “darshan” (glimpse of the deities) and virtual “pushpanjali” (ritual of offering flowers to god) will be arranged for devotees at home.

Puja organisers also installed loudspeakers in the vicinity of the pandals to play mantras for the local residents.
Even before court restrictions were in place, Kolkata’s Santosh Mitra Square Puja committee had decided to livestream all rituals.

Organisers of Jodhpur Park Sarbojanin have cut down on their budget and installed the idols inside a community hall. All their events will be livestreamed on giant screens across a stretch of one kilometer.

Several puja committees in Kolkata said that they will conduct virtual pushpanjali through Zoom app.