Fincial hardship fails to dampen puja spirit in Dima Hasao

Haflong, Sept 27: Though the number of Puja pandals has decreased in and around Haflong, fincial hardship has failed to dampen the Puja spirit at Haflong. In previous years the number of Puja pandals was as many as 23 but this year the number has reduced to 15 as some clubs have stopped organizing puja this year perhaps due to fincial constraints and shifting of localities. The permanent religious establishments like Sri Sri Janthabari, Sri Sri Ramkrish Seva Samity, Haflong Town Kalibari, Lower Haflong Kalibari and Devi Mandir are considered as prime puja pandals where puja is done according to vedic rituals, not by giving priority to decoration or lighting. Talking to this correspondent, Bikramjit Choudhury, secretary, Ramkris Seva Samity, disclosed that Maharaj and the priest had already reached Haflong from Kolkata and they would perform the puja as per norms and discipline of Ramkris Seva Samity. “This year we have prepared to receive 10,000 devotees from various parts of Dima Hasao,” he said.  

Superintendent of Police of Dima Hasao, Vivekraj Sing, while appealing to the people of Dima Hasao in general and of Haflong in particular not to violate the traffic rules and to maintain law and order, said that they had made elaborate traffic arrangement for the peaceful Puja celebration. “In Haflong police station we have organized cultural function during the Puja celebration so that people can enjoy the festivities,” he said.  He further said that during immersion all the Puja committees had been urged to maintain discipline and not cause inconvenience to others.