Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 28 OCT: The city of Krishnagar, radiant with devotion and festive grandeur, is gearing up for its century-old Jagaddhatri Puja with heightened security and elaborate preparations. On Monday, the DIG of Murshidabad Range, Syed Waquar Raza, along with SP, Krishnagar Police District Amarnath K and other senior police officials visited key puja sites in the city, including the Krishnagar Rajbari, Chasapara’s Burima Temple, and the Kadamtala Ghat, to review the safety and crowd management arrangements undertaken by the Krishnagar Police District.
“Jagaddhatri Puja is an inseparable part of Nadia’s culture and heritage. The Krishnagar Police District has undertaken comprehensive measures to ensure the festival remains peaceful and joyous for everyone,” the DIG told reporters after the inspection.
For the people of Krishnagar, Jagaddhatri Puja is not merely a religious event but a heartfelt celebration of identity, art, and social harmony—second in magnitude only to Durga Puja. The festival’s hallmark is its spectacular “Sang” procession, in which the idol of the goddess is carried on traditional wooden chariots through streets thronged with thousands of devotees before immersion in the Jalangi River.
This year, the festival will be observed from 28 October to 1 November, culminating in a grand immersion procession. To ensure smooth conduct, the administration has mobilised a large contingent of police and volunteers across the city.
Under the Kotwali Police Station area, a total of 198 pujas are being organised — 145 licensed, 45 unlicensed, and 8 household pujas. Security deployment includes 20 Inspectors, 170 Sub-Inspectors/ASIs, more than 600 constables and women constables, along with 900 civic volunteers and 100 community volunteers.
The entire operation will be supervised by three Additional Superintendents of Police and 15 Deputy Superintendents of Police, each tasked with monitoring specific zones.
For crowd control and surveillance, over 60 CCTV cameras have been installed across major routes and ghats. The police have also set up six assistance booths, ten watchtowers, and designated no-entry and diversion zones to manage traffic and pedestrian movement efficiently. A guide map and advisory have been released to assist visitors and ensure a safe pilgrimage experience.
Beyond Krishnagar, the Jagaddhatri Puja spirit has spread vibrantly across Tehatta subdivision, now one of Nadia’s major centres of the celebration. This year, 69 pujas are being held under Tehatta Police Station, of which 18 will participate in the immersion procession on 1 November.
To support crowd management, each puja committee has been asked to appoint five volunteers, while an additional 100 NCC cadets and 800 police officers and personnel will oversee ground operations. The Tehatta administration has also set up 20 police assistance booths equipped with child-missing counters, drinking water, and first-aid facilities.
Traffic control, CCTV monitoring, mobile patrol vans, and public address systems are being deployed to ensure that the festivities remain orderly and incident-free.
As the city glows under festive lights and the sounds of dhak and conch fill the air, Krishnagar stands as a living symbol of Bengal’s enduring puja heritage. With faith, discipline, and community cooperation, the district administration hopes to make this year’s celebration one of devotion, peace, and harmony.
“May Goddess Jagaddhatri, the embodiment of strength and serenity, bring light and unity to all. Let discipline and compassion guide our festivities,” the district police said in their message to citizens.
