Durga puja celebrations on a modest scale in Siliguri

Siliguri, Sept 18 (ANI): The festival of Durga Puja is just round the corner. However, this time around, the festival may not be full of pomp and show as compared with previous years in Siliguri.

The festival is known for massive makeshift tents or pandals which are put up by various festival organising committees.

Organising committees vie for making the best and unique pandals worth hundreds of thousands of rupees.

However, global economic slowdown has dampened the pandals-making spirit. Organisers have now to make do with less.

"This year, we have been hit by global recession. We generally depend on advertisements for our revenue, but this time no company has advertised with us. So, we have no other alternatives, but to cut down our budget," said Sourav Nath, Secretary, Central Colony Puja Committee.

The recession has also pinched decorators as they are getting fewer orders for embellishing pandals.

"Puja committees have trimmed their budgets. This has affected us severely," said Gopal Sarkar, General-Secretary, North Bengal Decorators Association.

Durga Puja is the biggest festival in Bengal.

The festival is also known as Dussehra and Navaratri in other parts of the country. (ANI)