Flood-Affected Communities in Upper Assam Adjust Durga Puja Celebrations

Resilience Amidst Adversity

This autumn, the arrival of the goddess will be marked differently in flood-affected regions of Upper Assam.

In Sivasagar’s Signal Basti, the traditional celebrations will be absent, with no idol, pandal, or extravagant lighting. Instead, the Puja committee plans to conduct rituals in front of a photograph of the goddess, relying on minimal funds collected from local residents and supporters.

Meanwhile, in Golaghat, a 126-year-old Puja will proceed, albeit with a significantly reduced budget focused solely on essential expenses.

In Charaideo, families are opting for simpler festivities as they continue to recover from the devastating floods.

While Durga Puja will not be canceled, it will lack much of its usual splendor.

What remains is the faith, the rituals, and a shared commitment to uphold a cherished tradition as families work to rebuild their lives.

Simplified Celebrations in Sivasagar

For the Signal Basti Puja Committee in Sivasagar, the decision to cut back goes beyond merely reducing decorations or canceling cultural events.

“This year, we will focus solely on the rituals due to the floods and the ongoing recovery process. A grand celebration is not feasible. Our budget is significantly lower than last year, and we will conduct the Puja using a photograph instead of an idol,” explained Jeet Bahadur Thapa, the committee's secretary.

Typically, the committee raises funds through community donations, but this year, that has proven challenging.

“The floods have devastated lives, leaving many unable to contribute. We will use whatever we can collect to perform the rituals with a photograph,” Thapa added.

This year's approach marks a significant shift from the elaborate celebrations of previous years, prioritizing the continuation of rituals.

Golaghat's 126-Year Tradition on a Budget

In Golaghat, the situation is less drastic, but financial constraints are still evident.

The Tarini Ballav Dev Goswami Station Committee will hold its 126th Puja with a reduced budget.

While the committee usually collects donations from local businesses, the floods have impacted these establishments as well.

“This year marks our 126th Puja, but the floods have significantly affected us. Businesses are struggling, which has impacted our fundraising efforts,” stated Dhruva Kataki, the committee's secretary.

Although the Puja will continue, the committee is prioritizing essential expenses over luxuries.

“We will manage with a lower budget, focusing only on unavoidable costs,” Kataki noted.

While Sivasagar has eliminated the idol and pandal, Golaghat is attempting to maintain the festival's traditional form within tighter financial constraints.

Impact on Idol Makers

The effects of the floods extend beyond Puja committees to idol makers as well. Typically, the months leading up to Durga Puja are among the busiest for these artisans.

Chiranjib Bora, an idol maker from Jorhat with 21 years of experience, noted a rise in demand for smaller idols in flood-affected villages.

“This year, we are seeing a greater demand for smaller idols, particularly in areas severely impacted by the floods. The pandals are also shrinking due to budget limitations,” Bora explained.

The reason is clear: Puja committees rely on donations from local residents, many of whom are still recovering from the floods.

“People contribute to the Puja, but there is a limit to what they can give. Many are still dealing with the aftermath of the floods, so this year, the focus is on maintaining traditions in a simpler way,” Bora added.

For an industry reliant on the festive season, the trend towards smaller idols and pandals signifies more than just a visual change; it highlights the broader financial strain caused by the disaster.

A Different Mood in Charaideo

In Charaideo, the changes are not only evident in the scale of celebrations but also in the overall atmosphere.

Residents who have spent months dealing with the aftermath of the floods find it challenging to separate the festival from their recent losses.

“This year, the glamour and grandeur of previous years are absent as families continue to recover from the flood's impact,” remarked Sneha Gogoi, a local resident.

Gogoi shared that her family lost several household items in the floods and is still in the process of repairing or replacing them.

While they would typically spend around Rs 5,000-Rs 7,000 on Puja, this year their budget has shrunk to Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000.

“Puja feels different this year due to the flood damage. We are keeping our celebrations simple,” she said.

Her experience reflects the quieter reality behind the reduced budgets, modest festivities, and smaller idols in flood-affected Upper Assam.

For many families, the focus this year is not just on how much they can spend on Puja, but rather on what they can salvage after the floods.