Bengal CM Suvendu urges Durga Puja organisers to uphold scriptural traditions, spiritualism

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday urged Durga Puja organisers to preserve the religious traditions and spiritual essence of the festival rather than engage in unhealthy competition, calling for a return to the warmth and community spirit that have traditionally characterised neighbourhood celebrations.

Inaugurating the Tala Prottoy Durga Puja in north Kolkata, Adhikari emphasised the importance of worshipping Goddess Durga in accordance with Sanatani traditions and maintaining the religious significance of the festival. He also recited hymns and shlokas dedicated to the goddess during the inauguration.

The chief minister said the state government, along with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, police and other agencies, was working to ensure that Durga Puja celebrations were conducted smoothly across West Bengal.

𝗖𝗠 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Addressing the organisers of Tala Prottoy in the presence of local BJP MLA Ritesh Tewari, Adhikari cautioned against excessive competition among community Puja committees and urged them to retain the familiar atmosphere of neighbourhood celebrations.

"I commend the organisers to recreate a homely, neighbourhood atmosphere in this Puja," he said.

The chief minister stressed that religious devotion and traditional practices should remain central to the celebrations, even as Durga Puja continues to attract large crowds and elaborate artistic presentations.

He said organisers should avoid unhealthy rivalry and ensure that the festival remained rooted in its spiritual and cultural traditions.

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀

Adhikari reiterated his appeal while inaugurating the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja, approximately 2 km from Tala Prottoy, where he called for adherence to shastriya parampara, or traditions prescribed by religious scriptures.

The programme was also attended by Kartik Maharaj, a monk associated with the Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Beldanga.

"Spiritualism and 'parampara' should guide us this Puja," Adhikari said, asserting that the BJP-led state government was committed to ensuring that the festival was celebrated in accordance with established religious traditions.

His remarks reflected an emphasis on the devotional aspects of Durga Puja, which combines religious rituals with community participation and cultural activities across Bengal.

The chief minister maintained that traditional observances should continue to guide organisers as they prepare for one of the state's largest annual festivals.

𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱

Adhikari also announced that a road would be named after Birendra Krishna Bhadra, whose iconic recital of Mahishasura Mardini has remained an integral part of Mahalaya celebrations for generations of Bengalis.

Accusing the previous Trinamool Congress and Left Front governments of failing to accord adequate recognition to Bhadra, the chief minister said his government would take steps to preserve the broadcaster's legacy.

Bhadra's distinctive voice and Sanskrit recitations have become inseparable from Mahalaya, which marks the end of Pitrupaksha and the beginning of Devipaksha, heralding the arrival of Goddess Durga.

The traditional radio presentation of Mahishasura Mardini continues to occupy a special place in Bengal's cultural memory, with families across generations associating the broadcast with the beginning of the festive season.

"Many governments came, but during our Mahalaya show at Eden Gardens, we gave due recognition to his family and descendants," Adhikari said.

He added that Bhadra's ancestral residence would also be renovated appropriately as part of efforts to honour his contribution to Bengal's cultural and religious heritage.

𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶 𝗣𝘂𝗷𝗮 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱

The chief minister also inaugurated a Durga Puja celebration in the Kankurgachi area of Kolkata, where the idol was installed at a Saraswati and Kali temple established by Biswajit Sarkar.

Biswajit's brother, Abhijit Sarkar, was killed in violence following the declaration of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election results. It has been alleged that the attackers were miscreants sheltered by the Trinamool Congress.

Adhikari's visit to the Kankurgachi Puja formed part of his engagements at community celebrations across north Kolkata.

Throughout the inaugurations, the chief minister emphasised religious observance, preservation of cultural heritage and cooperation among organisers and civic authorities, while urging Puja committees to maintain the neighbourhood character of the festival.