Ravana effigy in flames at Dussehra
Oct 23, 2015, at 05:31 pm
The Ravana effigy in flames at the Dussehra celebrations, at Ramleela Maidan on the auspicious occasion of Vijay Dashmi, in Delhi on October 22, 2015. The Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, was present. The Ravana effigy was also burnt at Subhash Maidan.
Women smear each other with sindoor on Vijaya Dasami
Oct 23, 2015, at 05:21 pm
As the five-day festivity of Durga Puja almost came to an end on Thursday (Oct 22, 2015), with the day combining both Maha Nabami and Vijaya Dasami this time, many idols were immersed in the river Ganges and other water bodies. Ahead of the immersion, women, especially married women, smeared each other with sindoor. Sindoor Khela (Or playing with sindoor) is a part of Bengali women's ritual before bidding farewell to the Goddess and they wish each other happy married life. Images by Sounak Choudhury/IBNS.
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Tallest Durga: People take a peek through opening
Oct 23, 2015, at 12:15 am
The Kolkata Police on Oct 18, 2015 (Mahapanchami day) evening closed people's access into the Deshapriya Park puja pandal, where World's largest 88.5 feet Durga idol has been installed, for overcrowding. There was a near stampede and the entire traffic of south Kolkata was thrown haywire. Many had come from far off places to see the tallest Durga but went back disappointed. However, many are still seen stealing a glance through the park's enclosure. Scenes on the last day of the Puja on Maha Nabami when passers-by try to catch a glimpse of the goddess through the openings. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
People make most of Maha Nabami in Kolkata
Oct 23, 2015, at 12:11 am
Kolkata, Oct 22, 2015 (IBNS): The five days of Durga Puja festivity touched its crescendo as people made most of the Maha Nabami, the last day of Puja, and Bijaya Dasami, which also falls on the same day this time, together on Thursday. Ahead of the immersion of the idols, pandal hoppers in Kolkata were spotted taking last minute selfies while the sea of humanity flocking to pandals (marquees) to catch final glimpses of the goddess. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Kolkatans offer 'Anjali' on Maha Ashtami
Oct 21, 2015, at 06:35 pm
The festivity fever reached peak on Wednesday (Oct 21, 2015) as the day of Mahaashtami brought along happiness and different hues of aspiration with people flocking to the nearby pandals to offer 'anjali', a special prayer to the goddess. People adorned in traditional attires were spotted in long queues in almost every pandals (marquees) in the 'City of Joy', waiting for their turn to offer the special prayer since dawn. This year, the Sandhi puja has been performed in the morning itself.
Durga Puja: Kolkata gears up for Maha Saptami celebrations
Oct 20, 2015, at 09:55 pm
Worshipers started visiting Durga Puja pandals from morning as the city is in the mood of Maha Saptami celebrations on Tuesday (October 20, 2015). Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Kolkatans witness 'Kolabou snan' on Mahasaptami
Oct 20, 2015, at 05:34 pm
Mahasaptami is one of the important days in the course of Durga Puja, which the Kolkatans ardently wait for. It is from this day, the main rituals associated with the Durga Puja commences. On Mahasaptami, some important rituals of the puja are performed with 'Nabapatrika snan' or 'Kolabou snan' (bathing of banana bride) and 'pravesh' (entrance of Goddess in the mandap-the place of worship) at dawn. The stem of a banana plant is bathed and draped in a red and white saree that make it look like a newly wed bride and then placed beside Lord Ganesha as 'Kalabou' is considered to be his wife according to Hindu mythology. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Governor of West Bengal Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi is offering an arati to the Durga idol
Oct 20, 2015, at 04:57 pm
Hon'ble Governor of West Bengal Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi is offering an arati to the Durga idol as ritual at Baneshwar Shiv Mandir near Jodhpur Park, today. The puja has been dedicated to Cerebral Palsy patients. Images by IBNS
Thakur Das Palit Lane Durga Bari
Oct 20, 2015, at 06:11 am
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Durga Puja celebrations at Rani Rashmoni's house
Oct 20, 2015, at 06:00 am
Amid all the festivities associated with the Durga Puja, rich and Zamindar family pujas still grab limelight. Even as theme pujas continue to attract pandal hoppers, family pujas still hold a special place in the city of joy-Kolkata. One such puja is that of Rani Rashmoni's House Puja.
Oct 20, 2015, at 05:56 am
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Durga Puja celebrations at Latubabu Chatubabur Bari
Oct 20, 2015, at 05:52 am
Amid all the revelries associated with the Durga Puja, rich and Zamindar family pujas like that of Latubabu Chatubabur Bari still grab limelight in Kolkata. Our correspondent captures a few snapshots of the same.
Durga Puja celebrations at Shovabazar Rajbari
Oct 20, 2015, at 05:49 am
Since the inception of civilization, India has been a land of Gods and Goddess and Durga Puja happens to be one of the most important festival of the Hindus. While, theme-based pujas and pandals hog the limelight in Kolkata, Zamindar family puja like that of Shovabazar Rajbari continues to attract pandal hoppers. Our correspondent brings to you a few snapshots of the same.
Durga Puja celebrations at Lahabari
Oct 20, 2015, at 03:19 am
Amid all the revelries associated with the Durga Puja, rich and Zamindar family pujas like that of Laha Bari still grab limelight in north Kolkata. Our correspondent captures a few snapshots of the same.
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