Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Tomorrow is 'Dol' in Bengal, 'Holi' in northern India, 'Madan-Dahan' or 'Kamayan' in south India, 'Hori' in central India, 'Shimaga' in Goa-Kankan' area and 'Dolotsav' in Odhisa. But, the characteristic of this festival of colour is the same everywhere. On the eve of this festival, the kush-putul use to burn - this event is called Holika Dahan according to Puranas. The tyrant demon Hiranyakashipu wanted to burn his son Prahlad, who was the worshiper of his enemy lord Vishnu. So, the king called his sister Holika to burn Prahlad. She entered into the fire with Prahlad, but lord Vishnu saved his admirer Prahlad and Holika died in fire. Hence, the people of the state played Holi the next day happily. Since then, the social festival of Dol or Holi is being observed across the country. Holika Dahan in Bengal is called 'Nera Pora' or 'burir ghar porano '. The room of Holika is being made on this day in B

The festival of colours 'Dol' utsav is on Sunday, 16 March, 2014. But, before it, the students of Rabindra Bharati University of Jorasanko campus celebrated the festival with traditional fun and joy. -- A. B.

The history of transport in Kolkata is one of the main attraction of country's first and one & only Heritage Transport Museum. It is situated at Bilaspur-Taoru Road of Gurgaon near Delhi. From the baboo-culture of ancient Kolkata, to the evolution period of transportation in 19th & 20th century, the old fragrance is being tangled in the part of this museum. One can find here the old mail van, covered bullock cart, chevrolet of 1947, phaeton car, old photographs, hand-pulling rickshaws, vintage cars, train, plane, bus, boat, scooter, and even the past time has been presented here lively. Original poster, advertisement, photos of yesteryear's (100-150 year's old) have been shown here. Paintings of old Calcutta by Daniel, Solvence etc in which old transports like palanquin (palki), phaeton, bullock cart etc had been shown, are the main attraction of this museum. And these paintings are in original. After these paintings, palanquin, howdah, and then th

On the occasion of Women's Day, all women bike rally is being organised in Kolkata for the first time, on 8 March, 2014. To register, log on to www.womenbikerally.com today. -- A. B.

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The beautification work of river bank in Kolkata is going on. In the mean time, the projects from Prinsep Ghat to Baje Kadamtala Ghat, Floatel to KMDA Millennium Park foot over bridge and Fairley jetty to Armenian jetty have been completed. The renovation of Nimtala Ghat and Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Garden are going on and the renovation of Sri Ramkrishna Samadhi prangan has started. The foundation stones of the projects Babughat to Floatel and Nimtala Immersion Ghat have been laid recently. Cement railing all along the river Ganga in Kolkata, according to Victorian style, beautiful paver block for the pedestrians, cast iron bench for the walkers, reconstruction of ghat and mandap, lightings of trident, greens, music system and landscaping are the items these beautification work includes. -- A. B.

A 4-day long utsav has been started yesterday at Jhamapukur Sri Sri Ramakrishna Sangha to mark their 35th Foundation day. The utsav is now going on at their ashram yard till Sunday. The Sangha is following the rules and guidelines of Ramakrishna Mission since inception. Pic courtesy: Newspaper -- A. B.

The authority of Viswa-Bharati announced today that this year's Vasant Utsav will be held again at the old venue i.e. Ashram Maath (Gour Prangan). The utsav used to held at the Ashram Maath since inception. But, for security reasons, the utsav was held at the Purba Pally Maath for the last two years. But last year, the audience attempted to break the barricade and the security of the students was about to hampered. Hence, the authority of Shantiniketan has decided to bring back the flavour of old days by shifting the venue of Vasant Utsav again at Ashram Maath.- A. B.

18 February, 2014 is the Sankat Nashini Durga Puja. It is an auspicious puja observed by Bengali communities in West Bengal, Odisha and some parts of Assam. -- A. B.

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, Fresh Look has organised the 3rd Kolkata-Dhaka Bicycle Expedition (14-21February, 2014). The expedition had started from 'Bhasa Mancha' of Deshpriyo Park yesterday. -- A. B.

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It is the heritage building of Butto Kristo Paul (B K Paul) on Sovabazar Street. The statue of B K Paul was established on Hedua Park of north Kolkata. A. B.

Today is Saraswati Puja, another great festival being observed in almost every household of Bengal. I visited today some puja mandaps of rural areas, where glimpses of joy, fraternity, festivity, traditions and heritage of Bengal's eternal rituals are captured. -- A. B.

Today's Saraswati puja. The kids and childrens are enjoying this puja in cities, towns as well as in rural areas too. Although goddess Saraswati is being worshiped in almost each & every house of Bengal, the kids are still very energetic to visit puja pandals of their vicinity wearing sari and new clothings. -- A. B.

Kolkata Book Fair is now full-fledged by the book lovers of all ages. In the first pic, enthusiastic book lovers are gathered to enter in the pavilion of Peru. And in the second pic, the little book lovers are searching the books for them. Pic courtesy : Bartaman -- A. B.

Today is the inauguration of 38th International Kolkata Book Fair at Milan Mela. The Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the fair this evening. 'Peru' is the theme of this year. The eminent writer Shankar was present on the stage. Bolivia and Singapore are participating for the first time. Some other attractions of this book fair are - 1. Three-days Kolkata language-literature festival, 2. P C Chandra Book Museum pavilion where many specimens of history of books will be there, 3. NBT Bhasa-bandhan where exhibition of books in Indian languages would be there. The 3-days long Kolkata language-literature festival will inaugurate central minister Sri Sashi Tharoor following by the songs of Usha Uthup who also created the signature tune of this year's book fair. Moreover, arrangements of lucky coupon and book privilege card have been made at the fair. A pavilion on the name of Suchitra Sen will be there too. Life time achievement

Saraswati is now under preparation of the clay artists of Kumortuli, Kolkata. Saraswati puja is now 13 days to go. -- A. B.

Kumortuli of Kolkata is now busy to complete the idols of goddess Saraswati as the next 4February is Saraswati puja in Bengal. -- A. B.

Kumortuli of Kolkata is now busy to prepare clay idols of goddess Saraswati. Next 4 February is the Saraswati puja in Bengal. -- A. B.