Excitement of 300-year Kartik duel grips Katwa, Dainhat of East Burdwan

Two civic towns of East Burdwan, Katwa and Dainhat gear up for Kartik Lorai (duel) with all devotion and excitement as these are remnants of two key religious and cultural events over centuries here.

- KANCHAN SIDDIQUI

Kartik Lorai began in Katwa in the 18th century, where different community puja organisers bring large processions with dozens of small Kartik idols framed in triangular galleries each in successive processions for two consecutive days around towns.

"This Kartik lorai is only visible in these two towns of Bengal and many rush from different districts to witness the rare and vibrant festival here," said Samir Saha, chairman, Katwa Municipality.

In Katwa town, 83 puja committees have been accommodated in the government list for the two-day procession, along a 4.8 km stretch in the town. In the small Dainhat town, Kartik lorai procession is confined to 3.2 km.

In Dainhat and Katwa, the district police declared to deploy 2,000 policemen accompanied by civic police volunteers to control the rush.