Kolkata, 17 October (H.S.) : With the invocation of Goddess Durga through the 'Bodhon' ritual, Durga Puja festivities in West Bengal have reached their zenith. On the night of Maha Sasthi, a massive sea of devotees flooded the streets of Kolkata and various other parts of the state. Millions of people, dressed in vibrant festive attire, stepped out to visit the ornately decorated puja pandals, turning the metropolis into a lively spectacle of lights and celebrations that continued throughout the night.

The festive fervor was palpable across the city, from North to South Kolkata. Prominent puja pandals, including Sreebhumi Sporting Club, Santosh Mitra Square, College Square, Mohammad Ali Park, Bosepukur Sitala Mandir, Jodhpur Park, Singhi Park, Chorbagan Sarbojanin, Manicktalla Chaltabagan Lohapatty, Dum Dum Tarun Dal, Dum Dum Park, Jagat Mukherjee Park, Ahiritola Sarbojanin, Rajdanga Nabo Uday Sangha, Hindustan Park, Ekdalia Evergreen, Tala Prattoy, and Telipukur Yuva Sangha, witnessed overwhelming footfall. Devotees from neighboring districts such as Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, and Purba and Paschim Bardhaman converged on the capital to witness the majestic idols, unique artistry, and imaginative theme-based decorations.

Favorable weather conditions significantly amplified the festive spirit. Following heavy downpours on Thursday afternoon, clear skies on Friday night encouraged more people to join the pandal-hopping spree. Alongside the aesthetic and spiritual appeal of the pandals, the city's roadside food stalls and restaurants experienced heavy crowds as revelers enjoyed a variety of culinary delights.

Earlier in the day, the formal commencement of the state's grandest festival was marked by the 'Kalparambha' and 'Bodhon' rituals at the pandals. The 'Akal Bodhon' symbolizes the awakening of the Goddess for the battle against the demon king Mahishasura, drawing from the mythology of Lord Rama invoking the deity. On this auspicious occasion, women offered special prayers for the prosperity and well-being of their families. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also took to social media to extend his heartfelt Maha Sasthi greetings to the people of the state.

To manage the unprecedented influx of visitors, the state administration has implemented stringent security measures. The Kolkata Police are maintaining high vigilance with extensive crowd management protocols in place. A massive deployment of police personnel and civic volunteers has been positioned at strategic intersections and major pandals across the city. Additionally, NCC cadets are actively assisting the traffic police in ensuring smooth vehicular movement. Authorities anticipate the crowd size to swell even further across traditional neighborhood pujas and grand theme-based pandals as the festival progresses toward Vijayadashami.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh