Goddess Durga compelled to shift base due to space constraints

Durga puja celebrations are already upon us and with increasingly more other folks participating once a year, this time, Goddess Durga has been compelled to change venues. Over the years, the celebrations have grown by ten folds, and with maximum participation from other folks and parking issues cropping up once a year, this time many organizations have shifted base to another venue. BT explores more…

MORE CROWD, LESS SPACE

One of the biggest associations in Bengaluru — the Bengali Association — this yr has determined to shift the Durga Puja celebrations to Manpho Convention Centre. Speaking concerning the venue alternate, Dileep Maitra, vp of the association says, “For the past 12 years, The Bengali Association was once organizing the celebrations on the RBANMS College Grounds, on the subject of the association premises. However, this yr, because the school management has created a soccer and cricket academy, the gap has been diminished to one-third of what was once to be had.”

Similarly, the Assam Society of Bangalore too, determined to change venue this yr. “For the first three years, we arranged the celebrations in Koramangala. But since we witnessed a big crowd last yr, we moved out of that area and determined to have the celebrations in HSR Layout, at a bigger venue,” says Hirak Jyoti Kakati, General Secretary of the society, adding that with the alternate, it has also solved parking issues. “Earlier, we used to have a lot of issues on the subject of parking. However, ever since we determined to shift the celebrations to HSR Layout, the parking woes were solved too,” he says.

In addition to this, this yr, the organizers also are focusing on bigger food courts. “While moving the venue might reason a bit of trouble, it's going to let us have bigger food courts and more room, thereby making the celebrations a lot more amusing,” provides Dileep.

Shifting venues will see more participation from locals

Priya Mukherjee, member of the Bannerghatta Durga Foundation says that moving venues will help in additional participation from locals. “Durga Puja celebrations are not simply restricted to Bengalis. This yr, we are transferring to another venue as we want to do a village-themed puja (Gram Bangla). We cannot do a village-themed puja inside of 4 walls. So, we determined that by putting off the celebrations to a bigger venue, no longer best can we be capable of increase the scale of the pujo, but we will be able to see more participation from locals as well,” says Priya.

But what concerning the footfall, we ask the organizers? “Obviously, if we transfer the celebrations to another venue once a year, it's going to have an effect on the participation and we will be able to lose our crowd,” says Hirak. But transferring to another position can move each techniques, feels Dileep. “It is a litmus take a look at for us. It is the first time in 12 years that we have got changed the venue, but so as to accommodate more other folks, have higher parking facility and more food stalls, this was once our most suitable choice,” he says.
Priya also feels that converting venue will work of their favour. “Footfall will routinely be there for Maa Durga. It is ready attaining out to other folks. People won’t thoughts travelling at lengths to be in her (Goddess Durga) presence,” she sums up.