Kolkata Celebrates Maha Saptami with Enthusiastic Devotees at Durga Puja Pandals
Kolkatas streets come alive with vibrant lights and eager devotees celebrating Maha Saptami during Durga Puja festivities.
Kolkata, October 17 (Daily Kiran) : Kolkata is aglow with lights as the city celebrates Maha Saptami, part of the Sharadiya Navratri festivities. Long lines form outside colorful Durga Puja pandals, drawing a large crowd of devotees on Saturday morning.
The excitement of exploring the pandals continued throughout the night, with the same festive atmosphere present this morning. Many people, cameras slung over their shoulders and smartphones in hand, were busy capturing selfies or cherishing special moments with their families. The rhythmic beats of the traditional dhak drum added to the celebratory mood, fueling the enthusiasm of the crowd.
Ignoring their nighttime rest, individuals of all ages ventured out to visit pandals in succession. With eyes wide in wonder, smiles on their faces, and joy in their hearts, Kolkata resembled a vibrant canvas of celebration on this auspicious day. The entire city was immersed in festive colors, eagerly seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga.
On Maha Saptami, priests and devotees participated in the traditional ‘Nabapatrika Snan’ at the banks of the Ganges. Amid the sounds of dhak drums, conch shells, and sacred chants, a cluster of nine plants, known as ‘Kalabou,’ was ceremoniously bathed. Afterward, it was dressed in a white sari with red borders and taken to the Durga Puja pandal. This centuries-old tradition symbolizes the connection between nature and Goddess Durga, remaining a vital part of Bengali culture.
Earlier, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, attended a program on the auspicious evening of Mahashashthi, marking the beginning of Durga Puja festivities. In a post on X, he shared his experience, stating, “I participated in the inaugural ceremony of Maa Durga Puja organized by our family in Nimatoudi, Tamluk, and offered prayers for everyone’s well-being at the feet of the Mother.”
Tamluk is alive with the spirit of the festival, as the community comes together to honor the divine.
