Durga Puja pandals often make their way to Chandernagore for Jagaddhatri Puja, but this time it is an idea that is being borrowed — taking after at least two pujas in Kolkata, a Jagaddhatri Puja club in Chandernagore has declared its pandal to be pet-friendly.
Bidhan Sarani Atlas Club in Shyambazar and Behala Club in Kolkata had declared their pandals pet-friendly this Durga Puja.
Pandal-hoppers pose with their pets at Bidhan Sarani Atlas Club's pet-friendly Durga Puja pandal Bidhan Sarani Atlas Club/Instagram
The puja committee in Chandernagore is also taking a bunch of initiatives for stray animals and first-time pet parents.
Biplab Chakraborty, the secretary of Kanai Lal Pally Jagadhatri Puja Samity, Chandernagore, said the pandal will be open to pets on all four days of Jagaddhatri Puja. “Several people cannot go out during the festival because they have pets at home. Even if they go out, they have to keep their pets in a crèche or at home alone. This year no pet parent would face that difficulty,” Chakraborty said.
The Kanai Lal Pally puja is organised on an 11,000 sq ft ground and the organisers believe there would be no space crunch. Besides, there will be several volunteers to guide the visitors. “We would have a veterinary doctor with us and separate space for feeding the animals,” said Manoj Barman, assistant secretary of the club.
Even though the puja theme is not related to pets or animals, the club hopes to encourage visitors to take care of strays around their home. “This year, we have taken this initiative so that next year 10 more pujas come forward and do the same,” said Chakraborty.
The club will be conducting special health checkup camps for animals and a team will take care of and feed stray animals throughout the year. “They will respond to any emergency situation and also fight all animal-related superstitions like having a bad day if a cat crosses your path,” said Chakraborty.
