Thaindian News

Kolkata, Oct 14 (IANS) Thousands of people from all parts of the state thronged Durga Puja “pandals” here Thursday to offer prayers on Mahasaptami - the second day of puja.

Durga Puja, the five-day autumn festival beginning with Shashti and ending with Dussehra, is being held with great passion at colossal puja pandals (marquees), where idols of the goddess and her four children are installed and worshipped.

Women, clad in new saris, were seen offering “pushpanjali” (special offerings to the goddess) amid the beats of “dhak” (local drums).

Since Thursday morning, the banks of the Ganga were crowded as people went to bathe banana plant which is the symbolic consort of lord Ganesh, son of goddess Durga and God Shiva.

The capital of the state is abuzz with the festive spirit and people from various parts of the country and abroad have come down for a feel of the cultural and religious extravaganza

Pandal hopping is a popular pastime during the festival as people visit various marquees to see the artistic decorations in different parts of the city, leading to massive crowds at the venues. Puja will be celebrated at more than 3,000 venues this year.

Apart from the community pujas, goddess Durga is worshipped by a large number of families at their homes. Some of these pujas, held by the families for generations, are star attractions of the city. Among them are the pujas at the houses of erstwhile landlord families of Kolkata and many other families of the state.

Traditional pujas usually have medium sized idols within one frame (ek chala) and are decorated with pith.

Durga Puja would end Oct 17 with the immersion of the goddess’ idols in rivers and other water bodies all over the country.