21 September, Sunday: On the eve of Mahalaya, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated multiple puja pandals. Sreebhumi Sporting Club was not left out of this list.
Today marks the first day following the inauguration of Sreebhumi Sporting Club's pandal. Sreebhumi Sporting Club's puja has always been one of Kolkata's most famous and attractive pujas for visitors. Every year, the theme's splendor astonishes spectators, and this year was no exception.
From the day after Mahalaya in 2024, the crowd at Sreebhumi Sporting Club was noticeably large. The same scene was witnessed on Sunday. From young to old, everyone has begun their Durga Puja pandal hopping from Mahalaya itself. Last year, Shribhumi Sporting Club had stunned other puja committees by creating a 'Tirupati Balaji Temple' theme. This year too, other puja committees are ready to compete with Shribhumi.
This year, Sreebhumi puja theme is the 'Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple' of New Jersey. The entire puja pandal is encased in white stone. Whichever direction one looks, only the glitter of white stone meets the eye.
Although this white stone temple located in New Jersey is relatively new, the 'Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple' is no less in attracting visitors' attention on foreign soil. Hence, Sreebhumi's organizers have chosen this temple as their puja theme.
The goddess Durga has also been adorned in keeping with the theme. The idol has been covered in white solar work. The goddess's attire also features pristine white. All in all, Sreebhumi Sporting Club is reigning in people's minds even before the arrival of the puja.
On Sunday evening, crowds began to gather at Sreebhumi's pandal. A considerably long queue formed in front of the pandal. Scenes of pushing and shoving in the crowd were also captured.
At the main entrance of the New Jersey temple, there are massive elephants, and mirroring that, the elephants' presence at the Sreebhumi puja pandal has also caught attention. The entire puja pandal has been brought to life with artistic finesse and impeccable hand ornamentation. As the puja draws nearer, the organizers expect the crowds to swell at this puja pandal.
