Gurugram Durga Puja Pandal Enters Guinness World Record

Over 400 people gathered at a Gurugram Durga Puja pandal, this year, breaking the Guinness World Record for most people blowing conch shells (shankh) at the same time. Their aim was to break the record of 295 people blowing conch shells at the same time, which was set in the Bahamas back in 2013. This unique way of celebrating the festival was organised by Bangiya Parishad in Sector 56, Gurugram. The team achieved the feat on October 17 in front of 10 observers and two witnesses from the Guinness Book Of World Records, the Times of India reported.

The people of the Millennium City came together and blew conch shells in unison, traditionally known as ‘shankh’ at the same time.

President of Bangiya Parishad Gurgaon, Sanjay Banerjee told TOI, “We wanted to do something new this year for Durga Puja. In February, we came across this record and thought we should attempt this and so we officially registered with the Guinness people for it the following month.”

Banerjee further added that their attempt was to bring back attention to this ancient tradition. "Our effort was not just to revive this forgotten tradition but also to serve as a clarion call to seek an end to all negative energy in the world and make it a better place,” he told Millennium Post.

READ: Sonagachi’s Sex Workers Turn Chefs For Durga Puja

Banerjee explains, “We asked people to register openly but our only condition was that they should all know how to blow a shankh for a considerable duration comfortably. We screened people accordingly over several months for that. It’s a proud moment for us because now our puja, our community, and our city will be in the record books due to this feat.”

The record was set by 434 participants who qualified after three attempts, each that lasted for a time period of 10 seconds. The pandal decoration, this year, celebrated the traditional Puja themed ‘shankh’.

Feature Image Credit: TOI

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