Pragati Club continues hosting Durga Puja celebrations at 6th Mile

GANGTOK, 20 Oct: Pragati Club of 6th Mile, Tadong, organized Phulpati Shova Yatra from the Durga Mandir complex at 6th Mile to Saraswati Dolma Mandir, 5th Mile, here and back on 11 October to flag off the Druga Puja/ Dasain celebrations.
The yatra began with the HRD Minister, NK Pradhan, and Irrigation Department Secretary, SK Chettri, lighting the ceremonial lamp with which the prayers began.
The rally was led by Saat Kanya and attended by a large numbers of devotees, including area councilor, Prabhat Gurung, and puja committee president BK Tiwari.
“Our club has been organizing Durga puja without break for the past 40 years,” informed GB Chettri, president of the club, adding that this year seven priests conducted the prayers.

Navaratra Shree Durga Bhawani Puja underway at Thakurbari

GANGTOK, 07 Oct: Navaratra Shree Durga Bhawani Puja and Vijaya Dasami Celebration have started here at Thakurbari Mandir from 04 October. Gangtok Thakurbari Committee has come forward to organize the festival in a grand manner this year.
To look after the management of the celebration a sub-committee has also been formed with Mohan Lall Sarda as president and Navin Lamichaney as general secretary along with other members.
Addressing a press conference today, Mr. Lamichaney informed that this puja is being organized at Thakurbari every year in a grand manner for more than 75 years. He also informed about the various prayers and events planned for this nine-day long puja. Ten Gurujis and groups has been engaged for continuous prayers, Ved Path, Aarti, Chandi Puja [108 times in these 9 days], Bhajan Kirtan and other religious activities will be held in these nine days, he said.
Mr. Lamichaney stated that all these prayers are being offered mainly for peace in Sikkim and the world.
The state government has assured to provide Rs 5 crore to complete the construction of Thakurbari which is under process and the amount is expected to be released soon, it is informed. The construction work at the mandir had been started in 2005.

Durga Puja at Makha, Dikchu and Mangan

MANGAN, 06 Oct: Paksham Moonlight Club and Paksham Self Help Group are jointly organizing Durga Puja celebrations here at Makha 10th Mile. The Puja began on Saturday marking “Gatasthapna Diwas”. The puja will continue for nine days till Dashami with the worship of Durga performed with bhajans and kirtans.
Durga Puja has also begun at Dikchu Bazaar in East Sikkim where it is being organized by the Dikchu Bazar Committee. Durga Puja pandals have also been established at Mangan where, apart from the prayers, the festive mood continues with a small fair and dance competitions for children.

Navratri celebrations begin at Thakurbari

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 16 Oct: Navaratra Shree Durga Bhawani Puja cum Vijaya Dashmi celebrations began here at Thakurbari Mandir by Gangtok Thakur Bari Durga Puja Committee [GTDPC]. The said puja will continue till 24 October.
The puja has been organised at Thakurbari for the last 80 years, informed the president of the organizing committee, Kiran Rasaily during a press meet today.
“This Mandir occupies about 1 acre of land which was donated by Sir Tashi Namgyal and earlier the puja used to be organised by Late Rashmi Prasad Alay accompanied by his colleagues like Chatur Singh, BP Rai, Raj Pradhan and others here in the same premise”, informed Mr Rasaily.
This time Mr Rasaily will be donating a statue of Maa Durga which is being crafted by Krishna Nagar artists.
He added that this time the residents of the town itself have organized this puja and the funds generated will be used in organizing the puja next year.
Today, a ‘Jamara’ [maize sapling] was also placed in the mandir. The arati is held between 10:30 AM-11:00 AM in the morning and in the evening between 7:00 PM-7:30 PM. The bhajan will begin just before the arati.
On the 9th day, that is Nawami, a bhog will be organised and 9 under ten year old girls will be worshipped. They will also be offered clothes and some offerings of money.