Mahashtami marked by early morning anjali at puja pandals across Bengal

October 19, 2026 3:13 PM

Mahashtami marked by early morning anjali at puja pandals across Bengal

People thronged Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata and the districts of West Bengal in the early hours of Monday to offer anjali on Mahashtami, in keeping the prescribed timing of the rituals this year. From community pandals in the metropolis to traditional household celebrations and heritage shrines in the districts, devotees in new festive attire arrived in the pandals as priests led the chanting of mantras and hymns in praise of Goddess Durga. The early start saw worshippers gather at sever...

Bengal’s biggest festival Durga Puja starts with Mahashashthi, pandal-hopping begins

October 16, 2026 3:09 PM

Bengal’s biggest festival Durga Puja starts with Mahashashthi, pandal-hopping begins

Rituals marking the formal commencement of West Bengal's biggest festival, Durga Puja, were conducted at pandals on Friday as revellers began visiting decorated marquees and prayed to the Mother Goddess on 'Mahashashthi'. 'Kalparamba' ritual was conducted to start the festivities, while 'bodhan' or invocation of the goddess will also be held, even as mothers offered prayers for their children's well-being. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, while extending his greetings, said in a social media p...