Sindoor Khela at Chaltabagan Durga Puja 2015

At the Chaltabagan Durga Puja mandap

October 25, 2015: After the Dhak Mahotsav, I went overseas for a week and returned to Kolkata to have a couple of days to enjoy the Pujas. Today morning there was the Sindoor Khela at the Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja. 

With Chief Guest Moon Moon Sen

Like the other years, it was a big draw as usual with the Chief Guest Moon Moon Sen and a host of other lady celebrities from the glamour and other walks of life participating actively in the event. Like last year this year also the Sindoor Khela was presented by Vodafone.

The day, however, began on a sad note when I got a phone call informing about the shocking news of the death of actor Piyush Ganguly who had met with an accident on October 20 and had since then been fighting for his life in a city hospital. He succumbed to his injuries in the morning. I pray his soul rests in peace.

Adding to my worries was the news that one of my acquaintances, Malabika Sen, the wife of Late Sumit Sen, resident editor of the Times of India in Kolkata, had also been seriously injured in the accident and surgeries performed. I thanked God that she was out of danger.

With Rupa Ganguly, Parno Mitra, June Maliah, Priti Patel, Malika Verma, Chaiti Ghoshal, Monami and others

Many of the participants in the Sindoor Khela 2015 were from the film and television industry who called up to say that they would attend the event a tad late. Finally the event went off well with all the guests attending it and participating enthusiastically. The head of Vodafone in eastern region, Anand Sahai, was there with his wife. ITC Sonar arranged for the food and catering which is very rare for a puja pandal in Kolkata.

The Chaltabagan Puja 2015 went off very well with Dhak Mahotsav, Puja Parikrama and Sindoor Khela. The theme of supporting sustainable development was in sync with the UN's recent Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda declared at the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2015. 

The Chaltabagan Puja this year used over two lac bio-degradable coconut shells to decorate the pandal. The laser lighting and other effects made it all the more magical. The puja was very well attended by the crowds.

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