NORTH LAKHIMPUR, Sept 29 - Durga Puja fervour has gripped the entire Lakhimpur district as 85 Puja mandaps have been erected for celebration in North Lakhimpur and Dhakuakhana.
Since the district was badly hit by floods this year, austerity measures have been adopted by various Puja organising committees. The Nakari Puja Committee and the Gopi Nagar Puja Committee which are known for their extravagance in celebrating the Durga Puja have reduced their budgets considerably this time.
In Harhi Dewalaya in Dewliya village in Dhakuakhana, elaborate arrangements have been made for the celebration of Durga Puja where buffaloes are sacrificed. Similarly, in the century-old Panchanan Dewalaya in North Lakhimpur, Durga Puja will be observed in a traditional manner. As the festive spirit has gripped everyone, people are seen crowding the streets to buy various goods for the puja.
The opening of some new shopping malls here has attracted more people to go shopping this time during Puja. The Lakhimpur district authority has made elaborate arrangements for the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja. The authority concerned is coordinating with all Puja committees and all the Puja mandaps are being connected with close-circuit cameras. Volunteers have also been engaged by the committees to assist the local police during the Puja.
