Police today stopped the entry of people inside Deshapriya Park in south Kolkata to view the tallest Durga idol.
The world's tallest Goddess Durga has cast a shadow over Kolkata. She has been closed for public viewing. That is the latest decision of the Kolkata Police after a near stampede on Sunday evening at Deshapriya Park where the idol is installed.
Thousands had descended at Deshapriya Park from across Bengal; traffic across south Kolkata had been thrown out of gear, metro services disrupted by people heading to it and then a near stampede that injured 11.
Today, too, crowds kept coming in the hope of a glimpse of the 88.1 feet tall idol. But around 5 pm, Kolkata Police commissioner Surajit Kar Purakayasta held a press conference to announce the puja is shut. Banners were put up on the park fence and police persons made announcements over megaphones.
Terribly disappointed, Rajesh Kumar from Burdwan said, "This puja was advertised for three months. The administration should have considered our religious sentiments and made some arrangements. They should allow us a glimpse at least." He had come to see the idol with his six-year-old daughter.
Dipali Bag, a housewife from Tarakeswar in Hooghly district, had an equally sorry tale to tell. "I came with my children to see the goddess on Sunday. It was very crowded. We couldn't see, so we stayed on the footpath at night to see the idol today. But no luck. We will go back now," she lamented.
The blame game is on. Police have filed a First Information Report or FIR against the puja organisers for not taking adequate steps. Organisers say police could have done more.
Some enthusiasts are still praying for a miracle. 18-year-old Oindrilla said, "I am feeling very sad. I hope they will eventually allow us to see it. There are still some days of the Puja left."
There are hundreds of other beautiful Durga Pujas across Kolkata, but the forbidden fruit, as usual, is the sweetest.