New Delhi: There is just one week left till the Puja, and the craftsmen working on the pandal are busy putting the finishing touches on it while we are busy getting ready and preparing ourselves to totally immerse ourselves in the puja atmosphere.
Pathurighata Pancher Palli in Kolkata is hosting a Menstrual Hygiene-themed Durga Puja pandal this year, which is challenging traditional norms and shattering certain stigmas.
The Durga Puja pandal of Pathurighata Pancher Pally in north Kolkata is pushing the envelope and shattering those taboos regarding menstruation this year with displays like a girl sitting on a cloud made from sanitary napkins and a collage of women’s faces.
Using the theme of Ritumati – a menstruating lady, the organisers of the pandal seek to educate the public, particularly males, on the need for proper menstrual hygiene and normalise the experience of menstruation.
The Puja Pandal was built as a means of introspection and raising public consciousness about menstruation hygiene. It has been 84 years since the puja first began, according to Ellora Saha, Working President of the ‘Pathuriaghata Pancher Palli Sarbojanin Durgotsab’ committee.
Ellora Saha opines that the subject of menstruation, represented by the Hindu goddess Maa Durga, must be addressed since it is a sign of women’s empowerment. Women are mocked in society for not having periods, while girls who have their periods are not permitted to sleep in the same beds or enter the kitchen, or puja rooms and are viewed as outcasts.
“We believe that there is no better way to get rid of this problem than addressing it. It is about time that we stop looking at menstruation as a taboo,” she added.
They’ve settled on menstrual hygiene to de-stigmatize menstruation throughout. “We are not focusing much on the religious part,” she said.
“Menstruation is a normal biological process, and there is no need to keep it under any kind of curtain. This is high time we break the taboos, and the first step will be to bring such issues to the fore,” she added.
This pandal was built over three months and cost about Rs 18 lakh.
Manash Roy, the primary artist behind the puja pandal, said that it was inspired by installation artworks including paintings, models, and graphics that address the need for personal cleanliness during menstruation. He has used elements that enhance the idea, such as paper, red colour, sanitary pads, cotton, etc.
The pandal will include a 14-foot Durga idol with smaller versions of Kartikeya and Ganesha. Saraswati and Lakshmi’s idols, however, will be positioned some distance. This is being done to bring attention to the fact that women and girls are not permitted to enter a temple during menstruation. The artist said that Lord Kartikey and Ganesha, are positioned near Maa Durga, while the Saraswati and Maa Lakshmi, are put far away from Maa Durga.
Sanatan Paul, a local of Kumartuli, will give form to the idols following the story’s overarching message.
In addition to the puja, sanitary napkins will be provided during a menstrual hygiene awareness camp open to all women and girls who join the pandal.