Durga Puja 2011

Some remaining pictures from the Durga Puja 2011. These pictures are from the pandal on Lake Range, South Calcutta.

Of an unique open design, it was a celebration of red and orange.

The pictures were taken with a m4/3 Panasonic G1 with the kit 14-45 Vario lens.

The pandal against the sky

Faces

The myriad walls of the pandal

Mirrors, bangles and bottle caps used for the motifs

Motifs

Bijoya Dashami - Bishorjon

So, the four day celebrations comes to an end with our ritual gathering at our grandmother’s house in North Calcutta. The bishorjon pictures are from the Nawn family puja, who are relatives from my mother’s side.

The pictures have been shot with the Nikon D300 and the Nikon 18-70mm zoom @ 1600 ASA.

Loading on to the trolley for the imersion

Tying the "Iswar Chandra Nawn Trust" banner

All set

The journey starts . . .

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Puja 2011 : Sandhi Puja

Sandhi Pujo at the New Alipore Association Puja yesterday night (or better very early morning today) between 00.50 Hrs and 01.38 Hrs. In contrast to the earlier years, the pandal seemed quite full, which was a surprise considering the time of the Pujo.

After a lot of thought, I put the D300 away and decided to experiment with the m4/3 Panasonic G1 for shooting during the Pujo. I am quite amazed at the quality of pictures that I have got. Needless to say, the VR in the lens also helped.

There you have it. Sandhi Pujo with a m 4/3 Panasonic G1.

This picture sums up the Sandhi Pujo. The 108 lamps and Debi Durga in the background during the rituals. 

The start of the Sandhi Pujo

The rituals

Another angle. The dhaakis were too loud and hence the change in position !

The rituals again

The lighting of the 108 lamps

108 lotuses used during the pujas

Still lighting the 108 lamps

Aarati

Aarati

Blessings

Puja

Puja

Puja

Puja

Durga Puja 2011 : Aastami Sandhya Arati

Gone are the days of pandal hopping. Mahaastami Sandhya Aarati at my neighbour's house was a truly memorable experience. 


Shot with the Nikon D300 and the Nikon 18-70mm zoom @ 1600 ASA.

Durga Puja 2011

I love to be at home at Calcutta during the pujas. This year – after a bout of viral fever – and with some other pending work gave the Saptami jaunt a pass.

These are the pictures taken at the New Alipore Association Puja today during the Mahaastami Pujo today morning.

These pictures are with the Panasonic G1. I am wondering whether to go with the m4/3 for the entire pujas or whether I should switch to the Nikon D300 for today’s evening pictures.

Pratima at the New Alipore Association

Astami Puja Arati

Arati