This is also a Durga Puja, but behind the bars of jail! Inmates at West Bengal’s Asansol Special Correctional Home have organised Durga Puja this year, for the very first time, bringing light and joy to the dingy prison cells. The correctional facility currently houses over 400 prisoners, of which 35 are women. The jail has been decorated with lights, creating a festive atmosphere both inside and outside the correctional facility.
With Durga puja being performed inside the prison, the prisoners are overflowing with joy. The plan was sudden and hence the arrangement was made in a very short time. The prison guard is paying the role of the priest, while other roles like playing the Dhaak (Durga Puja drum), decorating the prison floors with ‘alpona’, lighting up diyas and floral decoration, everything is being done with enthusiasm by the jail inmates. The women residents have taken up the responsibility of making 108 earthen lamps and lighting up the diyas.
Jail Superintendent Chandreyi Hait said, “The residents in the prison had requested that if a small scale Durga puja could be arranged. We appealed to our state administration and got permission from the prison department. Durga puja is being performed with sincerity and dedication, following all the rules.”
New sarees for women inmates
Wearing new clothes is mandatory in Durga Puja. Hence, the West Bengal government has provided new sarees to the women inmates. Whike prison guard Vidyut Chakraborty is playing the role of the Chief Priest, he is being assisted by four residents of the jail. The female prisoners have given the Alpana. They have made 108 lamps themselves. Dhaaks have been hired for the festival which is being played by the male prisoners.
Durga Puja rituals by prisoners
Preparations for Tuesday’s Ashtami puja and Sandhi puja have been started. Arrangements have been made for the residents to offer Pushpanjali to the goddess. A cultural programme is also being organised on Dashami (Dusshera), where the jail inmates will sing, dance and recite poems. The women inmates will participate in the ‘Sindoor Khela’ ritual where they will be applying vermillion to the idol first and then on each other’s face.
Durga Puja Bhog at prison
A special food menu has been arranged for every day of Durga puja. Fish gravy and rice on Saptami, Khichdi and mixed veg on Ashtami, chicken curry-rice on Navami and Mutton curry-rice Dashami. There are vegetarian alternatives like Paneer and mixed veg for those who do not eat non-veg. There are delicious Bengali sweets after every meal for the inmates.
The prison guard, who is also the Chief Priest, said, “The inmates are praying to Goddess for early release.”