Bonding with Times: Celebrating emotional bonds with Durga Puja

KOLKATA: The festival is not only about big-budget Pujas and innovative themes. The essence of Puja is not complete without celebrating the emotional bonds we share with our near and dear ones, the special bhog enjoyed in the community halls and unending rounds of antakshari.
The Times of India celebrates this spirit of bonhomie with its Times Pujo Barir Shera Pujo, a unique initiative that celebrates the Pujas taking place at housing societies in the city.
This year, State Bank of India, The Banker to Every Indian, presents Times Pujo Barir Shera Pujo powered by Euor Health, Colors Bangla as entertainment partner and PC Chandra Jewellers as jewellery partner, once again ushers in the festive excitement and fun to housing societies in Kolkata. Supporting this initiative are Pincon as bhog partner, Banchharams as mishti partner, Lions Club as welfare partner, Smithcucina Infracooka and Aviana Holidays as associate partners.
This unique competition in housing societies has awards galore for participants. In Category 1, for housing societies with more than 100 flats, the first prize is worth Rs 1 lakh, second prize Rs 50,000 and five jury awards, each worth Rs 10,000. Housing societies in Category 2, for housing societies with less than 100 flats, the first prize is worth Rs 50,000, second Rs 25,000 and five jury awards, each worth Rs 5,000. There also 50 special prizes to be won, each worth Rs 4,000.
It has been 15 years now that this contest has been bringing a smile to the faces of housing complex residents in Kolkata. The participating complexes are judged on the basis of certain parameters, such as idol, decoration, best idol jewellery, cultural programmes planned and TOI presence in the pandal.
The first round of judging starts on Sasthi when about 250 housing complexes will be examined on the basis of the above criteria.
And all the residents of these complexes can participate in the PC Chandra Selfie Contest, where you deck up in your jewellery, click a selfie and upload it on the link, www.pcchandraindia.com/Durgapuja2015. The link will be active from October 18 to 27.
On Ashtami morning, celebrity judges and sponsors will judge top 20 finalists for the following contests along with the main award categories: Euor Health Award (for swachh/cleanest mandap), Lions Sharodiya Samman (for best social service activity), PC Chanda Jewellers Award (for ladies decked in best jewellery), PC Chandra Jewellers Award (for best idol jewellery), Colors Bangla Paint Your Imagination Award (best graffiti board), Colors Bangla Award (for most colorful community), Pincon Oil Award (shera bhog) and Smithcucina Infracooka (mishti contest).