The nine-day festival of Navratri that began on October 15 is being celebrated across the country with great zeal and enthusiasm. The excitement in West Bengal is even greater as Durga Puja is considered as one of the most important festivals of the Bengalis. Puja Pandals are amongst the main highlights of the celebration in the state, particularly in the capital Kolkata. These pandals feature elaborate adornments and distinctive themes, and witness thousands of footfalls everyday. And in todays day of social media these remarkable displays frequently become viral.
However, it seems that this year, organisers are looking to restrict the constant photography and videography trend of pandals. A picture of a notice displayed by the renowned Purbachal Shakti Sangha, a Kolkata-based club hosting a Durga Puja pandal has gone viral on the internet.
Shared on the microblogging site X, formerly Twitter, by Swati Moitra, the caption of the post shared along with the picture reads, "Kolkata pujos have had it".
In the picture one can see a notice hanging outside a pandal that reads, "No YouTuber allowed."
Since being shared, the post has amassed close to 84,000 views, 2,570 likes and tons of comments.
"This is a good decision! Seems the Bonedi Bari's have had it too!," commented one user on the post.
"This should be everywhere , they are a nuisance these days," wrote another user.
While another differed and wrote, "First they invited youtubers and instagamers for marketing. They gave them access with full lighting even before puja opened. Now they don't want them, very hypocritical stand from pujo committees."
"Should have said "No reeler" too, commented a fourth.