Agartala, Oct 12: Durga Puja preparations are gaining momentum in Kalyanpur in Tripura's Khowai district, with local clubs combining themed pandals, traditional rituals and community initiatives while keeping their budgets in check.
The sixth battalion of the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) is among the major attractions this year, with a Rs 10-lakh pandal modelled on a temple associated with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living in Bengaluru.
Ekotra Sangha, celebrating its 48th Durga Puja, has allocated Rs 6 lakh for the festivities. Artists are creating a golden-coloured pandal, with lighting arrangements being undertaken by teams from Agartala and Teliamura. The idol is being brought from Moharchhara at a cost of Rs 75,000.
Club president Babul De said the committee would distribute clothes among underprivileged people and organise cultural programmes featuring artists from across the district. Local MLA Pinaki Das Chowdhury is scheduled to inaugurate the puja.
Baghajatin Club is constructing a pandal modelled on the Kedarnath temple with a budget of Rs 3.5 lakh. Senior member Tapas Debroy said the club remained committed to social welfare activities and had contributed Rs 10,000 towards the medical treatment of Monshree, who was suffering from a serious illness. A community feast is planned after Dashami, while artist Sudip Das is handling the pandal and lighting arrangements.
Young Blood, with a budget of Rs 2 lakh, is preparing a pink-themed pandal made of wood and cloth, with a focus on decorative lighting. Local artist Hriday Shil is creating the structure. Sushankar Debnath is the committee secretary and Nirendra Debbarma its president. The local MLA is scheduled to inaugurate the puja.
Netaji Club has chosen environmental awareness as its central theme. Its pandal, designed around the concept of an "alpana village", will highlight agriculture, horticulture and the integrated cultivation of paddy, vegetables and fish in limited spaces. The idol is being brought from Totabari, while artist Dilip Pal is constructing the pandal. Annabhog and khichuri prasad will be distributed on Navami.
Chetana Sangha is celebrating its 45th year with a budget of around Rs 2 lakh, while Ratia Shantipriya Sangha is organising its puja for Rs 70,000, focusing on traditional devotional rituals.
Community pujas at Kalyanpur Bazar Nat Mandap, Kalyanpur Bazar Colony Kalibari and Kalyanpur East Bazar Regional Sarbajanin will add to the festivities. Celebrations also extend to surrounding hilly and predominantly tribal areas, including Ekrai Bazar, Murabari, North Ghilatali and Khas Kalyanpur. Some local pujas retain the tradition of animal sacrifice on Ashtami, reflecting the region's diverse religious customs. PTI
