Narendra Modi being welcomed on arrival by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi being welcomed on arrival by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu and the Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, M. Venkaiah Naidu, at Gannavaram Airport, Andhra Pradesh on October 22, 2015.
Kolkatans offer 'Anjali' on Maha Ashtami
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
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
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 Sounak Choudhury/IBNS
Kolkatans witness 'Kolabou snan' on Mahasaptami
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
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
Durga Puja celebrations at Rani Rashmoni's house
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.
Durga Puja celebrations at Latubabu Chatubabur Bari
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
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.