Agartala, Oct 12 : Durga Puja preparations are gathering pace in Kalyanpur, where clubs are combining themed pandals and traditional rituals within modest budgets.
The sixth battalion of the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) is among the major attractions. Its Rs 10-lakh pandal is modelled on a temple associated with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living in Bengaluru.
Ekotra Sangha, celebrating its 48th year, has set aside Rs 6 lakh for the festival. Its golden-coloured pandal will have lighting by artists from Agartala and Teliamura. The idol is being brought from Moharchhara for Rs 75,000. Club president Babul De said clothes would be distributed among underprivileged people. MLA Pinaki Das Chowdhury is scheduled to inaugurate the puja, with cultural programmes also planned.
Baghajatin Club is constructing a pandal modelled on the Kedarnath temple with a budget of Rs 3.5 lakh. Tapas Debroy said the club undertakes social activities and had contributed Rs 10,000 towards Monshree’s treatment. A community feast is planned after Dashami. Artist Sudip Das is handling the pandal and lighting.
Young Blood, with a budget of Rs 2 lakh, is focusing on lighting and a pink-themed pandal made of wood and cloth by artist Hriday Shil. Sushankar Debnath is the committee secretary and Nirendra Debbarma its president. The local MLA is scheduled to inaugurate its puja.
Netaji Club has chosen an environmental theme, with an “alpana village” design highlighting agriculture, horticulture and integrated cultivation of paddy, vegetables and fish. The idol is being brought from Totabari, artist Dilip Pal is building the pandal, and annabhog and khichuri prasad will be distributed on Navami.
Chetana Sangha is marking its 45th year with a budget of around Rs 2 lakh, while Ratia Shantipriya Sangha is organising its puja for Rs 70,000, emphasising devotional rituals.
Community pujas at Kalyanpur Bazar Nat Mandap, Kalyanpur Bazar Colony Kalibari and Kalyanpur East Bazar Regional Sarbajanin also remain part of the celebrations. Pujas are held in surrounding hilly and predominantly tribal areas, including Ekrai Bazar, Murabari, North Ghilatali and Khas Kalyanpur. Some retain the tradition of animal sacrifice on Ashtami, reflecting local customs.
