To magnetize global travelers in the State West
Bengal Government has launched a mammoth promotional campaign of Rs. 90 lakhs
and is specially targeted at enhancing tourism during the upcoming Durga Puja
celebration. BBC Worldwide has begun airing a 15 minute documentary and a 30
seconds ad on the State from this month onwards, says Vikram Sen Principal
Secretary, State Tourism Department.
The endorsement will be aired in South
Asia, West Asia, Asia-Pacific and Western Europe for three months ending in
September six to seven times a day including; prime time & breakfast time. Sen
said, “Through this we anticipate to increase tourism during Durga Puja and
also other seasons.” Apart from endorsing Durga Puja the promotion will also
exhibit the culture, life and tourist spots in the state. The Darjeeling Hill
Station and the world’s biggest mangrove forest in the Sunderbans are exhibited
as major tourist attraction, according to him.
“It will reach straightly to the basis market” said, Zubin Songadwala, General Manager, ITC Sonar and Co-Chairman of CII Tourism Sub-committee in Eastern Region. “It is an exceptionally practical stride in generating consciousness about the state,” he added. Durga Puja is a yearly Hindu festival that is celebrated all over South Asia and is dedicated to Goddess Durga signifying the victory of her over the buffalo demon Mahisasura epitomizing victory of good over evil. Durga Puja and Bengal has been complementary to each other, as it is celebrated with great pomp and show in this place. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most visit places during the celebration of this particular festival because of the joyous streets, colourful decoration and ornamentation. With the starting of autumn in October/September, this nine days festival detonate complete of the Bengal in to a rebellion of joyful multihued colours. The festival is also named as Navaratri meaning nine days, in all these days different forms of Ma Durga/Shakti are worshipped. The first day of the festival is termed as Mahalaya; the festival is observed for six days by Bengali Hindus residing in West Bengal and is the biggest festival of the year for them. The six days that are celebrated in this state with great enthusiasm are named as; Mahalaya, Shasthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Asthami, Maha Nawami, Vijayadashami. In West Bengal, Ma Durga is characterized with her four children; Ganesh who is worshipped before starting any Puja, Kartik-the protector, Goddess of Wealth-Saraswati and Goddess of Knowledge-Saraswati. All the pandals which are set up along with the installation of idols of Ma Durga along with her family are filled with mesmerizing aroma of flowers and incense sticks. People relish the Puja by dancing to the elation of the drum beats. The prime celebration is for three days including; Maha Saptami, Maha Asthami and Maha Nawami. Hindus believe that Ma Durga trip with her family to visit her icy abode in Kailash Parbat and her re amalgamation with Shiva on the last day of Puja i.e. Vijayadashami. The dates for Durga Puja celebration this year is from 7th- 15th October i.e. for 9 days & 8 nights.
