Kolkata: This year see Lakshmi Puja with a difference because many households choose to continue without priests and do their own rituals.
But the others decided not to bring home a new idol because they prefer to worship the old ones to avoid visiting the market.
With Tithi Puja (Timing) began on Tuesday and came close on Wednesday afternoon, most people chose Tuesday to worship Dewi Wealth.
Many houses in the city, especially those who have senior citizens, choose to continue with last year’s trend to worship Dewi without a priest.
Some people received their idols at home from Kumartuli this year while they ordered puja goods for home delivery from the local ‘Dashakarma Bhandar’.
Rita Dey, a citizen of Madurdaha, who works at the Newtown DPS HR department, will conduct Puja itself without Imam this year too.
“There are many things that I no longer use like noansa, which must be purchased from the store, to store puja items.
But I want to save it as safe as possible,” he said.
Aparna Majumdar will help her mother-in-law in Puja because the Garia family won’t call the priest this time.
They have decided to worship a small brass idol, which they have at home, instead of bringing clay idols.
Women’s businessman Sanchita Chatterjee, who deal with the export of the skin, feel that by doing her own Puja, she has personalized it and enjoys much more.
Ushashi Bhattacharya, Vidyasagar University Radio Program Officer, said, “Puja without Imam makes me feel like to attend guests with the best I can offer.” Kumartuli Artisans said at least 60% -70% of idol had been booked online.
“People see whatsapp images, mention the budget and order idols,” said Babu Friend, Secretary of the Idol Maker Association Kumartuli.