Kolkata: Famous Barisha's pandal prayers to go virtual

The Durga puja celebrations at Barisha Players Corner Puja Pandal, which is looked after by Sourav Ganguly and his family, will organise virtual pujas this year in view of the pandemic. The committee has planned 'virtual pujas' for the devotees across social media platforms.

Kolkata: The auspicious festival of Navratri has started and Durga Puja is just a week away. However, the Durga Puja celebrations, especially the pandal hopping will be a bit different this time owing to COVID-19.

But for people who are planning to see pandals in Kolkata's Behala, Barisha Players Corner Puja Pandal is a must-visit. BCCI President and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly's father Chandi Gangopadhyay started puja celebrations at this Pandal with the residents of the area in 1973. And since then, the locals of the area celebrate Durga Puja with great zeal. Every year, the pandal is organised at Biren Roy East Road in Behala and Sourav Ganguly pays a visit to it.

The Corner Puja Pandal was once a football club. But after a local team lost a match in 1973, Ganguly's father started the initiative of organising pandals every year on Durga Puja. The Gangopadhyay, Kanjilal, Nag and Das family residing in the locality joined hands after his father's demise, Sourav Ganguly has been leading the puja.

This is the 48th year of Durga puja and it is going to be different this time. The responsibilities of organising Puja are in the hands of the new generation with a majority of women participants. All the women in the locality, who have a long experience in organising the Puja, will actively participate to make it a big success.

Sourav Ganguly likely to visit

Amid the on-going IPL season, the BCCI president has returned from the United Arab Emirates. Most probably, Sourav Ganguly will be in behala for the puja. Restrictions have been imposed and on the grand day of 'Mahashthami', people will not be allowed to enter in view of the pandemic. However, the organising committee has planned 'virtual pujas' for the devotees across social media platforms.

Pujo Committee Cultural Secretary Juhi Gangopadhyay said, "Anjali, Sandhipujo, Bisarjan will be broadcast live from the club's Facebook page. Even if the cultural programmes are closed, I have asked volunteers to record and send videos. One can sit and watch the puja at home. However, people present in the pandal have been instructed to wear masks."

Every year, the idol of Durga Maa idol used to come from Kumortuli. However, this year the idol is brought from Banshdroni and is smaller in size. There is no specific theme this year but dhaaks (huge membranophone instrument) will be played as a part of customary Bengali customs.