October 8, 2018
Special arrangements for foreign tourists this Durga Puja
The State Tourism and Information and Cultural Affairs (I&C) Departments will be jointly making special arrangements for the foreign tourists who will be visiting Kolkata to soak in the spirit of Durga Puja.
They will work with the organisers of major Durga Pujas to create special ‘green channels’, so that the foreign tourists can reach the pandals without facing any traffic congestion. This is the first time that the State Government will be taking such an initiative.
Another joint initiative being taken this year will be taking foreign tourists on tours of the major Puja pandals in and around Kolkata.
The main idea behind this is to make them experience the tradition and the real essence of Durga Puja. So for example, if they visit a pandal on Ashtami afternoon, they can be a part of the bhog-eating ceremony, or if they visit on Navami evening, then they can witness the Sandhya Aarti.
Every year, tourists from different parts of the world visit Bengal during Durga Puja. For the last few years, the Red Road Carnival, a concept of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has also made it to their must-do lists. According to her announcement earlier this year, 75 Puja committees will be taking part in the carnival this year, on October 23, up from 55 in 2017.
Source: Millennium Post
