INDIA: Federal Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurates Pandal ahead of Hindu festival

Record ID: 1376559

  • Title: INDIA: Federal Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurates Pandal ahead of Hindu festival
  • Date: 12th October 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) GOVERNMENT RAILWAY POLICE (GRP) INSPECTOR, CHANDARI RAILWAY STATION, MAHADEV, SAYING: "We can only ascertain his native country from his passport. The passport says he is British. (Q. What do you think his age is?) He must have been around 56 years, his passport mentions his date of birth as 20th September, 1958. (Q. How do you think he died?) He must h
  • Embargoed: 27th October 2010 04:08
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVAAU5S7LMPEOI2NTFTJN21QC4CG
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Mamata Banerjee, India's federal Railway Minister and legendry cricketer Viv Richards visited Hindu festival (Durga Puja) pandal in India's eastern Kolkata city of West Bengal state.
    Banerjee inaugurated a festival pandal at Singhi Park which was built as the replica of the Golden Temple of Amritsar of India's northern Punjab state.
    Speaking to media persons on Tuesday (October 12), the minister said that she is very happy that the pandal organising committee (a marquee for community prayer ceremonies, set up by an association of locals) chose to build the replica of the famous Golden Temple.
    "I am very happy that Singhi Park Puja committee has created the replica of Golden Temple here. I do not want to speak on any religion as it is a very sensitive issue. However, Golden Temple stays in every one's hearts and we are saying 'Sasriyakal' (a word to greet in Punjabi language)," said Banerjee.
    Viv Richards, the former West Indies cricketer also visited the pandal.
    Durga Puja (the Hindu Goddess festival) which happens to be the most popular festival of India's eastern West Bengal state as well as other north-eastern states, is celebrated across the country as Dussera, a ten-day long grand festival, dedicated to Goddess Durga.
    Idols of the colourfully decorated Goddess Durga are worshipped for four days at these Puja pandals. And finally, these idols are taken out in a grand procession for immersion at the nearest source of water such as rivers, lakes and ponds.
    Hindus across India celebrate important religious events during September and October and early November, worshipping deities like Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles and Goddess Durga, the destroyer of evil forces prior to culminating the festive season with the gala festival of lights, known as Deepavali.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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