Amidst Pooja Pandal and all the glittering lights covering the streets of Kolkata, what grabs our attention is the Pooja Pandal decorated by the sex workers of Sonagachi (Asia’s largest sex village). Being questioned, Sayantani Ghosh (Member of the transgender community) said, “We want acceptance. Our struggle is for acceptance. We need empathy, not sympathy. Durga Maa stays amongst everyone. Durga Maa is very symbolic.”
Ironically, the first soil added to the Idol is said to be taken from the sex village, yet society keeps them at arm’s length and stares with eyes of impurity. Every famous Pooja pandal is flanked by the visit of big stars, however, none showed his/her face in the pandal of Sonagachi. The theme on which the Pooja Pandal is carved out is ‘Amader Poojo, Amrai Mukh’ translated as ‘Our pooja, we are the face,’ celebrating 18 years.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Sex workers of Kolkata’s Sonagachi organise Durga Puja, on the theme of 'Amader Poojo, Amrai Mukh’ (18.10) pic.twitter.com/OseTdJvJSb
— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2023
“For the first time, it is happening. We are doing it in the Kolkata Esplanade Tram Depot,” said the transgender member of the decorating team.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Durga Puja Pandal in the Heritage Tram 'Chaitali' decorated by members of the transgender community
One of the members says, "For the first time, it is happening. We are doing it in the Kolkata Esplanade Tram Depot," pic.twitter.com/L1P5s20SD9
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2023
Durga pooja is marked every year in October, is one of the most popular festivals celebrated across India with great enthusiasm, especially in the Indian state of Kolkata. This year the festival started on 15th October and will be followed by Vijaya Dashami on 24th October. The Nine-day festival marked with the auspiciousness of Nine forms of Mahishasurmardini devi Durga is celebrated by nine days of worship offered by the devotees with streets covered in the chaos of Indian spices.
