LUDHIANA,
Sept 23 — Ludhiana, which is the biggest city in this region, is now slowly acquiring a metropolitan character.
Different communities — Bengalis, Tamilians, Maharashtrians, Gujaratis, Keralites — have begun to celebrate their festivals with a fervour that has given a new cultural image to this industrial city. If industrialisation has had a polluting effect on the city’s environment, it has added the colours of different regional cultures to the life of the city. Industrialisation have brought to the city people from different parts of the country who have brought with them their festivals, rituals and lifestyle.
As the festival season has already begun all over the country, Ludhiana is presenting the look of mini India, with people from different parts celebrating their festivals with gaiety. The city which normally revels in kitty and card parties, has acquired an ethnic cultural hue.
The month of sawan was celebrated with mal puras and kheer. Punjabi songs swings were the main attraction for children as well as the grown-ups. The festival of Teej was celebrated by women with mehndi decorations on their hands. A number of schools, colleges and clubs organised the celebration. Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated in its traditional form by immersing 108 idols of Lord Ganesha in the Sutlej. Thousands of devotees chanted bhajans in praise of Ganapati. Caparisoned elephants were the centre of attraction. A colourful ‘sobha yatra’ replete with flowers and balloons went through different parts of the city.
Preparations for Bhagwan Jagannath’s rath yatra have been completed by the Gyan Sthal temple. The yatra will have hundreds of devotees following the Lord’s chariot. Prabhu Sakshi Gopaldas Ji of Kurukshetra will lead the yatra.
The city is also preparing for the Navratras. The Bangiya Samsad will organise a six-day celebration of the Durga Puja festival. A number of Bengalis have been living in the city for years.
