Durga Puja festival magic grips West Bengal
Kolkata: Dressed in their best, people from all walks of life hit the streets to visit picturesque pandals (marquees) and pray to Goddess Durga as West Bengali's biggest festival began across the state Thursday.
The worship of the goddess began with 'Akal Bodhon' - the time for invoking the goddess, in keeping with the traditions. According to mythology, Lord Rama invoked the goddess in autumn to seek her blessings for killing demon king Ravana.
There was all round merriment in the city and suburbs and people stood in long queues in front of the marquees for their turn for darshan of the goddess.
"It's always fun hopping different pandals with family members," said Rudrendu Banerjee of Howrah.
"On Mahashasti, the traffic congestion is generally not much. So we face less hassle when we visit puja pandals on this day," he said.
Politicians, film celebrities and sportspersons had a busy evening as they had to hop from one place to the other inaugurating the pujas. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee seemed in great demand as the star inaugurator.
During the Durga Puja, a large number of puja committees design pandals on various innovative themes. They also illuminate the premises with attractive lighting to woo more people.
"The Durga Puja festival provides a welcome break from our daily hectic schedule. And I don't want to miss the opportunity as it comes once in a year," said Santosh Sinha.
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