From household Pujas to bustling pandals, devotees across the city mark the sacred hour of Durga Puja with prayers, flowers and traditional fervour on Ashtami
My Kolkata Web Desk Published 19.10.26, 12:40 PM
Devotees across Kolkata gathered in traditional attire on Ashtami morning to offer Pushpanjali and participate in Sandhi Puja rituals.
All images by Amit Datta and Soumyajit Dey
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At Maddox Square in south Kolkata, crowds assembled early in the morning at the pandal to chant prayers in unison as priests distributed fresh flowers for the morning offering.
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Men in stylish kurtas and women in festive saris gathered around the altar to receive offerings and floral petals for the ritual.
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In north Kolkata, traditional household Pujas presented a serene atmosphere rooted in centuries-old heritage. Family members sat together inside the courtyard, watching the priest perform the sacred rites before idols decorated with marigold garlands.
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Neighbourhood pandals across south Kolkata saw similar participation during Sandhi Puja. Women dressed in red-and-white saris gathered close to the idol to shower flower petals while priests chanted mantras to mark the auspicious transition between Ashtami and Navami.
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At Hatkhola Dutta Bari on College Street, married women observed the centuries-old ritual of Dhuno Porano, balancing burning clay bowls filled with frankincense on their hands and heads.