With Ganesh Chaturthi in September comes a string of Hindu festivals, culminating in Diwali in November. This Durga Puja in October, the West Bengal government has planned tours on the making of Durga Puja for those coming to the state to celebrate and be part of the cultural exuberance. The government is expecting a higher footfall this year since the festival gained more international recognition with the UNESCO declaring it ‘intangible cultural heritage’.
This time, the government will conduct tours for those coming from outside of the state to witness the ‘making of Durga Puja’. The theme pandals, final arrangements made in Rajbari, and several shops will be part of the tour.
The buzz in Kumartuli — the artisan locality specially in Kolkata, which works throughout the year for making Durga idos – is that some of its idols will be showcased abroad too.
West Bengal tourism minister Indranil Sen told News18, “Durga Pujo is our biggest festival, and with the inspiration of Mamata Banerjee this time, we are offering the conducted tour for tourists before the festival starts. The joy of making of Durga Pujo is something that is mind blowing. So, anyone who wants to take the flavour of this, can book tickets and come for the tour. We will take them to Kumartuli, the artisan area, and will also make them see the making of theme pandals.”
The booking for the conducted tour will start after September 26, say sources. Pre-Durga Puja tour may be conducted from second week of October. All five-star hotels will also have special conducted tour packages, the sources added.
The immersion of Durga is also being planned in a big way this year.
Sources say the tourism department is all decked up to felicitate the best Durga Puja tour. Apart from the tourism department, the transport department too will offer tour packages and roll out special bus services during the five days of the Puja.
Special tram for pandal hopping on Puja has also been planned, say sources.
Durga Puja will start from October 20, but the fever of the festival Puja has already started rising.
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