CM of Bengal announces 11 days holiday for Bengalis to celebrate Durga Puja 2022 in a big way

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is never at a loss for ideas. In spite of innumerable problems around her, she remains unruffled. She has declared 11 days holiday for the government staff from September 30 to October 10. She has drawn up a schedule and the celebrations will begin from September 1. On this day, there will be a mega rally in Kolkata to thank UNESCO for including Kolkata's Durga Puja on the list of ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’. The rally will start from Jorasanko Thakurbari and end at Rani Rasmoni Avenue. The immersion carnival would be in Kolkata on October 8. It was not observed for two years due to Covid-19 pandemic. Bengal CM Mamata announces Rs 60,000 grant to Durga Puja committees, 11 days holiday. The long stretch of holiday will act as incentive for the people to move out of their homes and visit tourism spots like Digha, Puri or Darjeeling to relieve boredom. It will also boost the Bengal tourism sector.

The Chief Minister also announced that her government would increase the grant to Durga Puja organizing committees in the state from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000. She announced this during a meeting with Durga Puja organizing committee members at the city's Netaji Indoor Stadium. She also mentioned that there would be a 60 per cent discount on power tariff to organizers of Durga Puja. She added that this year's Puja would be special. There would be many visitors from abroad and the organizers must be prepared for this.

Durga Puja from outside India –

13 Best Durga Puja in London UK 2022
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Dahi Handi with human pyramids is a part of Krishna Janmashtami festival

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Dahi Handi with human pyramids is a part of Krishna Janmashtami festival

India celebrates many festivals and the dahi handi festival is unique. It is to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. He is one of the most beloved Gods of Hindus and loves milk and all milk products, especially butter. To commemorate his birth, his devotees offer him butter. This is called ‘dahi’ in Hindi. They hide it in a pot (known as ‘handi’) and hang it high up. The festival is for his devotees to climb and get that pot of butter. It is difficult and the young men and women form human pyramids to get not just the butter but also the prize – nowadays, this incentive runs into a sizeable amount in lakhs of rupees. The festival has become popular because some Bollywood movies have used this theme in their movies. One of these is 'Govinda Aala Re' from "Bluffmaster" - the Shammi Kapoor film of 1963. This year, the dahi handi festival has been revived after two years – it was banned due to COVID-19. Dahi Handi Celebrations: 12 ‘Govindas’ Injured, 7 Remain in Hospital in Mumbai. The youngsters (called Govindas), dress in colorful attire and climb on each other to create human pyramids. This way they try to reach the ‘handi’ containing butter. It signifies victory through unity.

The government of Maharashtra had announced that there would be no restrictions on celebrating religious festivals this year. These include Dahi Handi and Ganesh Chaturthi. In the last two years, COVID-19 restrictions had played spoilsport. Incidentally, those who join groups and form the human pyramids are experienced and work as a team. It is not restricted to the boys but girls also participate and they practice regularly. The prizes carry handsome amounts and, at times, there are accidents. The participants treat these as a part of the game.

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