Actor Rituparna Sengupta, musician Bickram Ghosh, brand strategist Suhel Seth, industrialist Shishir Bajoria, Vijay Ojha, MLA, and Chairman Sundeep Bhutoria graced the Khuti Puja of the 84th Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja.

The Khuti Puja was hosted by Sundeep Bhutoria, chairman of the iconic Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee, alongside committee officials- Ashok Jaiswal, President; Rajesh Bihani, Vice Chairman; and Rajesh Jaiswal, Secretary. Shishir Bajoria, President, Inauguration Committee 2026 of Chaltabagan Durga Puja, joined in.

“The greatest act of collective imagination in Bengal is Durga Puja. Our year really starts with the Khuti Puja. The neighborhood and the Committee have shared ownership of this puja for 84 years, and we will continue to do so in the upcoming months of preparation,” said Sundeep Bhutoria.

“Khuti Puja marks the beginning of the festival closest to every Bengali’s heart. We will spread love and a sense of unity as we celebrate Pujas together,” said actress Rituparna Sengupta.

According to Shishir Bajoria, this year’s Durga Puja will be unique since it will combine Sanatani rituals and tradition with celebration. “Durga Puja will be observed with a stronger focus on Sanatani customs and rituals rather than just as a celebration. He expressed his hope that the celebrations and rituals would harmoniously coexist, maintaining the festival’s joyous spirit and spiritual core,” said Mr. Bajoria.

A great start to the Durga Puja preparations.

Priyanka Dutta