Siliguri:
The festive spirit surrounding Ganesh Chaturthi is gradually gaining momentum across Siliguri. Centered around the worship of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles (Vighnaharta), a festive ambiance prevails everywhere, from the alleyways to the main markets of the city. The way the appreciation for Ganesha worship has grown in this major commercial city of North Bengal over the past few years is truly remarkable. As the day of the puja draws closer, market bustle has increased manifold, and various puja committees across the city are busy with final preparations.
A huge part of this festive excitement revolves around Lord Ganesha's most favorite bhog, laddu and modak. The demand for these two special sweets has reached its peak in almost every sweet shop in the city. Not just common people, but various puja organizers are also placing orders for giant-sized laddus and modaks.
In Hindu religion, laddu and modak hold special spiritual and cultural significance as bhog and prasad during Ganesha worship. According to mythological beliefs, modak and laddu are Ganesha's most favored foods. Therefore, devotees devoutly and sincerely offer these sweets at the feet of the giver of success. For this reason, along with regular sweets, there is a rush to prepare special modaks in sweet shops during the days of the puja. Alongside traditional customs, a touch of modernity has also arrived in the sweet market.
To manage this massive consumer demand, production has been increased in almost all renowned and local sweet shops in Siliguri. Artisans have no time to breathe. Work is going on in full swing from morning till night. On one hand, the work of rolling delicious boondi and khoya laddus is underway, while on the other hand, modaks of various flavors and sizes are being skillfully crafted and displayed on the glass counters of the shops. Alongside traditional modaks, modern varieties such as kaju modak, mawa modak, kesar modak, and even chocolate modak are catching buyers' eyes this time, with significant demand among the younger generation.
Naturally, sweet business owners are extremely pleased with the increased sales in both wholesale and retail markets during this festive season. Overcoming various market sluggishness of the past few months, they are seeing good business centered around this puja. According to a section of business owners, the demand for laddus and modaks in Siliguri is increasing year by year due to Ganesh Puja. This year is no exception, and sales are expected to surpass all previous records. On the occasion of the puja, overflowing crowds of buyers are being noticed at sweet shops in various areas including Lahiripara, Bidhan Market, and Sevoke Road.
Just as the overflowing crowds at sweet shops in this joyful festive atmosphere have brought wide smiles to the faces of business owners, a strong sense of enthusiasm and joy is also visible among common buyers to welcome the deity. All in all, on the eve of Ganesh Puja, the sweet shops of Siliguri are now resonant with the sweet aroma of the festival and the chants of the devotees.
