As Shardiya Navratri 2023 gathers momentum in India, particularly in West Bengal, the festive fervor is on full display. Durga Puja committees throughout the state, including Kolkata, are fervently constructing elaborate Durga Puja pandals that showcase their creative spirit. Amid this array of artistic expressions, a Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata's Chitpur area, near Jorasanko, the ancestral home of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, has set a unique objective for this year's celebration: challenging menstruation myths.
This pioneering Durga Puja pandal is adorned with imagery featuring women, sanitary pads, and paintings that depict the menstrual cycle. Its theme is dedicated to dispelling taboos surrounding menstruation and promoting awareness about menstrual hygiene. The Panchar Palli Durga Puja Committee is the organizing force behind this endeavor, which marks its 84th year of conducting the puja.
Ellora Saha, the Executive President of the Pathuriaghat Panchar Palli Sarvajanik Durga Puja Committee, commented on the significance of this initiative: "Our society harbors many misconceptions about menstruation. Some women are prohibited from entering the kitchen, touching food items, or visiting places of worship during their periods. Why do these taboos persist even in an age when we are proud of launching Chandrayaan missions to the Moon?"
The innovative pandal concept has garnered significant attention on social media platforms. Users have not only lauded the organizers but have also expressed their support for the cause. One user even remarked that such pandal ideas represent a true celebration of the goddess and her divine feminine essence.
