Guwahati, 20 October (HS): The 56th Durga Puja organised by the Brihattar Odalbakra Sarbajanin Puja Mandir Committee in Guwahati’s Lal Ganesh area has adopted a unique theme, “Temple of Knowledge”, to pay tribute to Assam’s rich literary and cultural heritage. Guided by the message “A Vibrant Assam Through Literary Creation”, the puja pandal at Maa Mangalmaee Temple has been designed to showcase the contributions of eminent Assamese writers, poets and intellectuals.

The pandal was inaugurated on Maha Shashthi by noted writer, poet, translator, researcher and orator Diganta Biswa Sarma, a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Translation Award. Sarma, who is associated with Dibrugarh University and Gauhati University, praised the organisers for choosing literature as the central theme of the festival. He said the initiative would help introduce Assam’s literary traditions to the younger generation and encourage greater interest in knowledge, creativity and cultural heritage.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Puja Committee president Rabindra Chandra De, general secretary Jishu Bhattacharya, vice-presidents Sadhan Ghosh, Bijoy Mazumdar and Sadhan Chakraborty, along with other office-bearers, members and prominent residents of the locality.

The pandal features large portraits of several celebrated figures from Assamese literature and culture, including Lakshminath Bezbarua, Jyotiprasad Agarwala, Nalini Bala Devi, Mamoni Raisom Goswami, Chandra Kumar Agarwala, Hemchandra Goswami, Padmanath Gohain Baruah, Ambikagiri Raichoudhury, Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya, Nilmani Phookan, Homen Borgohain, Bhupen Hazarika, Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi, Lakshminandan Bora and Hiren Bhattacharyya, among others. Symbolic books representing the works of Assamese literary figures have also been arranged in rows inside the pandal, creating an atmosphere dedicated to literature and learning.

Speaking about the initiative, Jishu Bhattacharya said the committee selects a special theme every year to convey a constructive social message. He added that the puja is being conducted in accordance with Vedic rituals and traditional customs. The pandal decoration, supported by Guwahati MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, places particular emphasis on Assam’s literary legacy.

The puja has a budget of approximately ₹35 lakh. The committee is observing the prescribed rituals, including the sixteen-step worship of the Goddess. Khichdi mahaprasad is distributed among devotees every afternoon, while special offerings are served in the evenings. Payesh was served on Shashthi, followed by pulao, potato-paneer dishes, puri and halwa on Saptami. Fried rice and alur dum were distributed on Maha Ashtami.

The committee has also made arrangements to ensure the safety of devotees and maintain order at the puja venue in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration.

By combining religious devotion with literary appreciation and cultural awareness, the Brihattar Odalbakra Sarbajanin Durga Puja has sought to transform this year's celebration into a platform for honouring Assam’s literary icons and connecting the younger generation with the state's intellectual heritage.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash