New Delhi, Sep 30 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his respects to the divine Goddess Durga during the auspicious time of ‘sandhikaal’ or the transition between Asthami and Navami on Tuesday, November 30, at the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir located in South Delhi.

At the temple, he performed puja to the Kali deity and participated in the ‘sandhya-aarati’ or evening prayers, surrounded by the rhythmic beats of dhak and the chiming of bells. The Goddess Kali and Durga are considered two manifestations of Shakti. Sandhikaal marks the moment when Devi Chamunda emerged to vanquish the demons Chanda and Munda, according to various scholars. This time is also linked with Lord Ram as he called upon the Goddess during his battle with Ravan.

Residents of Chittaranjan Park expressed that they could not recall any previous instance where a Prime Minister visited their area during the revered Durga Puja period. The significance of both the venue and timing made this visit noteworthy.

Some speculate that the timing of the visit was strategically chosen ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, where the Bharatiya Janata Party is facing challenges regarding allegations of mistreatment towards Bengali-speaking individuals, who are being treated as Bangladeshi infiltrators.

Established over 60 years ago, Chittaranjan Park originated as an EPDP (people displaced from former East Pakistan) Colony and was later named in honor of ‘Deshbandhu’ Chittaranjan Das. This area was designated for families who fled East Bengal due to the violence that erupted during the Partition of India.

The Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir was inaugurated in 1973, initially constructed as a Shiv Temple. By 1984, it expanded to include shrines for Goddess Kali, Radha, and Krishna. It has since evolved into a vital religious-cultural hub, regularly hosting puja and special events, especially during Kali Puja. The Durga Puja festivities began here in 1977.

Gautam Hore, a resident for over 31 years, remarked that he had never witnessed such an event before. He was present near the venue during the Prime Minister's visit. Senior journalist Saumya Bandopadhyay, who has been covering politics in New Delhi since 1984, also noted that he could not remember any instance of a Prime Minister engaging in Durga Puja activities in the area.

However, he recalled seeing former President Pranab Mukherjee participating in Shyama Puja at the New Delhi Kalibari. Notably, Bandopadhyay was also present during an early 1960s visit by then-President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan to inaugurate Durga Puja celebrations at the Mandir Marg Kalibari.

In Chittaranjan Park, heightened security protocols were observed around the Kali Mandir area for nearly two weeks. Residents were notified to clear their vehicles from the streets prior to the PM's visit, and street vendors were advised to stay away temporarily on Tuesday. Heavy foot traffic is expected, and vehicle entry is restricted during the festive season.

The Prime Minister’s security measures, led by the Special Protection Group, conducted thorough inspections of the area ahead of the visit. Preparations began late last week with residents receiving alerts via their WhatsApp groups regarding a potential “VVIP movement” to the Kali Mandir on Ashtami. This message prompted residents to remove all parked vehicles along the main Bipin Chandra Pal Marg and connecting roads.

Sent by Rajiv Nag, Secretary of the Kali Mandir Society, the initial assumption was that heightened security was necessary due to at least three local events celebrating their golden jubilee this year. The increasing population in Chittaranjan Park has led to a surge in construction and the proliferation of open market complexes, resulting in limited parking space. Many residents voiced concerns over the inconvenience caused by the restrictions on public areas during auspicious occasions like Durga Puja.

Ultimately, the mention of “VVIP movement” sparked further inquiries, revealing that it was indeed the Prime Minister himself. After discussions among welfare associations and local authorities, arrangements were made for nearby schools to temporarily open their premises for parking vehicles for several hours.