States » EastPosted at: Oct 20 2026 9:37PM


Revellers throng Durga Puja pandals for last glimpse of goddess on Maha Navami

Satyaki Baidya
Kolkata, Oct 20 (UNI) Kolkata witnessed a massive turnout of pandal hoppers on Tuesday, while illuminated streets and dazzling decorations added to the festive spirit as Durga Puja celebrations reached their peak on Maha Navami evening, the penultimate day of the festival.
Thousands of revellers thronged the streets, standing in long queues at marquees for hours to catch the last glimpse of the idols of Goddess Durga and her four children.
A sense of sadness was visible on their faces as the festivities would draw to a close on Wednesday with Vijaya Dashami, when idols of the goddess would be immersed in the Ganga and other waterbodies, marking the end of the annual carnival.
Almost all big-ticket puja pandals drew crowds, which only increased by the hour into the night as people tried to soak in every minute of the puja spirit.
People of all ages and from different walks of life came together to celebrate, trying out delicacies at temporary roadside food stalls and visiting one marquee after another. Children, in particular, appeared to be enjoying themselves to the fullest amid the colourful decorations.
Durga Puja, the usual five-day autumn festival beginning with 'Shashthi' and ending with 'Dashami', was observed over six days this year, according to the puja almanac, with both Saturday and Sunday being celebrated as Maha Saptami.
Like most years, community puja organisers celebrated the festival on a grand scale, with elaborately decorated pandals housing the idols of Goddess Durga and her four children.
Mahanavami rituals began at 10.51 am on October 19, following the conclusion of Sandhi Puja, performed at the transition between Maha Ashtami, the eighth lunar day, and Mahanavami, the ninth lunar day of the Hindu month of Ashwin.
According to Hindu scriptures, Navami ended at 12.50 pm on Tuesday, October 20, marking the beginning of Dashami. On Wednesday, the idols of Goddess Durga will be immersed in rivers, ponds and lakes, bringing the festivities to a close.
According to Kolkata Police sources, Durga Puja is being celebrated in a total of 3,319 venues, with almost 400 being added to the list this year.
Notable marquees which drew heavy crowds this year included Santosh Mitra Square in Kolkata’s Bowbazar area, which was awarded “Serar Sera” (Best of the Best) in the ‘Devi Durga Samman 2026’ announced by the West Bengal government. The pandal depicted the theme Vande Mataram commemorating the 150th anniversary of the country’s national song.
Other notable puja committees included Kashi Bose Lane in north Kolkata’s Hatibagan area, which represented the theme Adim, meaning “The Primitive Origin”, and Ajeya Sanhati, one of the prominent puja committees in the southern part of the city, which depicted the theme Sarvangsaha (“The Endurance”), an ode to patience and strength.
Besides these community celebrations, Durga Puja is also observed at the ancestral homes of several erstwhile zamindar families in the city. These include the pujas at Hatkhola Dutta Bari, Chatubabu-Latubabu’s residence, the Laha family home and the Mullicks’ house in Bhowanipore.
Several residential complexes in Kolkata also organise Durga Puja celebrations every year.
On Navami morning, people partook of bhog, food offered to the deity before being served to devotees at various community puja pandals. The spread ranged from luchis (deep-fried puffed bread) and khichuri to an assortment of vegetable dishes, fish and even mutton.
According to Bengali tradition, the festival begins on Shashthi (Friday), marking the annual descent of the goddess on Earth with her children, sons Kartik and Ganesha and daughters Saraswati and Lakshmi.
Goddess Durga, the slayer of the demon Mahishashur, sits astride a lion and wields an array of weapons in her 10 hands.
She stays for four days to eradicate all evil from the earth before returning to her husband Lord Shiva at Kailash on Dashami.
The celebrations culminate on Vijaya Dashami (Wednesday), which coincides with Dussehra, observed in different parts of the country. UNI SB CDS
Tags: #Revellers throng Durga Puja pandals for last glimpse of goddess on Maha Navami
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