Kolkata, Sep 30 (PTI) Devotees on Tuesday thronged Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal on ‘Maha Ashtami’, considered the most auspicious day of the state’s biggest festival, as the rhythmic beats of ‘dhaak’ reverberated through the air.
Worshippers offered ‘pushpanjali’ (floral libations) amid chants of hymns by priests since early morning, which was followed by another important ritual of the ‘Sandhi Puja’ from 1.29 pm to 2.09 pm.
Greeting people on the occasion, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shared on social media a song composed by her.
A video of the song, whose lyrics and music are by Banerjee and sung by Monomay Bhattacharya, was shared by the CM on X.
Dressed in new clothes, revellers in large numbers made a beeline at popular pandals in Kolkata, Asansol, Siliguri, Durgapur, Haldia and other district towns and villages.
Long queues were seen outside major Kolkata pandals, such as Santosh Mitra Square, Kumartuli Park, College Square, Mudiali, Ballygunge Cultural, Jodhpur Park, Ekdalia Evergreen and Bagbazar, despite brief spells of rain.
At Kolkata’s historic Shobhabazar Rajbari, one of the city’s oldest household pujas, rituals were performed with grandeur, drawing crowds keen to witness the centuries-old traditions.
Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, also saw thousands of devotees assemble for special ‘Ashtami’ rituals, including the traditional ‘Kumari Puja’, where a young girl is worshipped as a living embodiment of the goddess.
Celebrations were equally fervent in other parts of the state, including Durgapur, Asansol, Kalyani and Siliguri, underlining the cultural and religious significance of Durga Puja, recognised by UNESCO as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Suburban railway and Metro Rail services, apart from state transport and private buses, have been augmented to facilitate smooth movement of people throughout the night, officials said. PTI AMR BSM RBT
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