A view of a Devi Durga at a community puja pandal in Kolkata, Sept. 26. (Swapan Mahapatra/PTI)

Festivities commenced with full fervor across West Bengal on ‘Mahasaptami,’ Sept. 27, marking the beginning of the worship of Goddess Durga on her four-day sojourn to her maternal abode. Thousands of people from all walks of life poured into the streets and queued in front of puja pandals to view the deities, imaginative decorations and illuminations showcasing themes from the upcoming Under-17 World Cup to a girl child’s right to education or just Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck for entertaining kids as the evening set in. Some popular puja pandals witnessed long queues as people waited patiently to view the intricate artworks that were a result of months of hard work by the community puja organizers vying for awards by different companies and the state government, as well as for viewers’ appreciation. Durga Puja in Kolkata acts as a catalyst for bringing together people from all sections. Siliconeer presents a photo essay.

People visit a community puja pandal on ‘Mahasaptami’ in Kolkata, Sept. 27. (Swapan Mahapatra/PTI)
A comunity pandal highlights Egyptian culture during Durga Puja festival in Kolkata, Sept. 26. (Press Trust of India)
People visit a community puja pandal on ‘Mahasaptami’ in Kolkata, Sept. 27. (Swapan Mahapatra/PTI)