Tura, Sept 29: Fifty years ago, in the quaint hamlet called Rongram- just 12 kms from Tura, the first idols of Goddess Durga were reverently placed in a modest pandal, marking the humble beginnings of what would become a cherished annual tradition. Today, the Hindu community of Rongram is in a festive spirit as they commemorate its golden jubilee, reflecting on half a century of devotion, unity and vibrant culture that remains to this day.
The Durga Puja celebrations have already begun across the state and Garo Hills is putting up a colorful event spanning across 144 puja mandaps. Tura has the largest number of puja mandaps- 33, which includes Rongram and Goeragre.
The celebrations began from Saturday night when the idols of the goddess were carried into the pandals or mandaps accompanied by the beating of drums. Devotees were awoken to the beating of drums early Sunday morning as the first prayers were offered at the respective puja mandaps.
And the celebrations kicked off with a special food festival cum craft mela at the Tura parade ground that saw artisans and entrepreneurs coming down to town from across the length and breadth of Garo Hills to showcase their products.
From an entrepreneur hailing from Damas in North Garo Hills who produces water bottles carved out of environment friendly bamboo, the production of soothing balm derived from stingless bees by a lady entrepreneur from Tura aptly named Hasalia Stingless Bee, to the indigenous production of LED bulbs by a local entrepreneur from Dobasipara in Tura, the crafts mela drew record crowds, much to the joy of the organisers, particularly the Central Puja Committee which tied up with Meghalaya government’s Prime Hub.
“The Crafts Mela and Food Festival which took place on the first day of the pujas was a resounding success. People from all walks of life came to see, buy and enjoy the event. There was even a special musical evening to honour Zubeen Garg by our very own talented star Jitupam Bora,” said Souvik Sanyal, leader from the CPC.
As always, Durga Puja mandaps have come up with unique architectural designs, colors and lighting to showcase their innovative styles, and professional assistance has added to the glamour of the puja pandals. One particular puja pandal that stands out is the Beldarpara Durga Puja Mandap where the youth and volunteers from the locality have once again gone out of their way to showcase their skills at improvising. “Making full use of the traditional gamochas (gamchas) abundantly available, they have beautifully decorated their pandal without the need for any professional touch, and it is drawing crowds,” says CPC leader Sanyal.
The Durga Pujas in Garo Hills is also actively propagating the importance of Swachh Bharat and highlighting the dangers of environmental degradation. Puja committees have been encouraging visitors to carry their own water bottles and say no to single use plastic- bags and drinking water packages.
“We have held meetings with the various puja committees to ensure single-use plastic is not sold or given out at any of the pandals and we have received encouraging news and support. We want the celebrations to go hand in hand with environmental protection, “ said CPC leader Sanyal.
