From Mayukh Goswami
Mangaldai : The Corona virus induced situation coupled by unseasonal incessant rain since last evening has completely dampened the spirits of puja revellers in Darrang district on the day of Maha Saptami. Even though beating of dhaks and uttering of mantras by the purohits from a section puja mandaps have reverberated the festive ambience , yet most of the mandaps had a deserted look thus making the task of social distancing more easier. This time the celebration has already been affected in the district which could be easily apprehensive with the administration recording only less than eighty nos of puja organisers for granting permission against one hundred eighty eight in 2019 and one hundred eighty four in 2018. However there may be some organisers who remained unaware about the procedure to grant permission on time. Among these puja numbers in the district there are few pujas which have special significance.
This include Durga Puja celebrated by the members of Royal Koch dynasty here in three separate Howlis namely Gakhirkhowa Howly, Dangar Howly and Mohanpur Howly with more than four hundred years history and tradition. According to its royal tradition, only the members of the royal family are to take part in the celebration on the days of Maha Saptami and Maha Astami while the celebration of the day of Maha Navami is left for common people without the participation of the royal family. However the curtain before the idol of Goddess in its warrior look with its face red in colour is to be removed only on the morning of Maha Astami. There is also a rich tradition of observing “Daar puja” by the royal family on the day Vijaya Dashami. Reports of celebration of Durga puja in the historic Barowari Durga temple and Hanuman temple in Kharupetia, the business town of the district have also been received.
“We are observing puja in a simple manner obeying COVID guidelines. This time we will not immerse the idol and only the ‘ghat” will be immersed on Maha Dashami. Regular prayers to be offered once the celebration is over till next year.”, said Ajit Dutta, President Barowari Durga temple management committee while talking to this correspondent . Meanwhile the district administration on Tuesday has issued SOP for immersion ceremony. Accordingly no procession is allowed and restriction of maximum of ten persons from one puja committee. The concerned circle officers are to ensure maintanence of these guidelines and may decide on extension of the process till next day if necessar
