West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that only followers of 'Sanatan Dharma' would be permitted to touch Durga idols during immersion in the Hooghly river, citing religious traditions. He also reviewed extensive security and safety arrangements for the immersion process, including NDRF involvement and precautions for spectators at Taki, following a recent stampede incident.
The Durga idol of Chorbagan Sarbojanin will be immersed on Saturday under strict police supervision, even as the investigation into the stampede that claimed 19 lives continues. The immersion was cleared by the SIT, which directed the puja pandal be preserved. Forensic experts have raised concerns about ventilation, and police have arrested two announcers, bringing the total to nine. One announcer's Facebook post after arrest has raised questions.
Cricket legends Sourav Ganguly and Brian Lara joined the Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata on Sunday.
Rani Mukerji and Kajol looked gorgeous as they celebrated Asthami at the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal.
A committee formed by West Bengal's BJP government is considering proposals to rename several prominent roads, bridges, and public places in Kolkata, including those named after communist leaders Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, and Ho Chi Minh. This move has sparked sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress and CPI(M), who view it as "vendetta politics" and an attempt to disrespect differing ideologies.
A Durga Puja committee in Ranchi modified its Vatican City-themed marquee after objections from a Hindu group. The image of Jesus Christ was replaced with Lord Krishna.
Heavy rains in Kolkata have disrupted Durga Puja preparations, causing damage to pandals and delaying inaugurations. Organizers are working to restore decorations and ensure the festivities can proceed.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) of releasing water recklessly and without prior intimation, creating a flood-like situation in south Bengal districts during Durga Puja.
Like every year, the Mukherjees got together to celebrate Durga Puja, looking beautiful in their colourful traditional wear.
The nine-day festival begins this year on October 3. Each day is devoted to one of Ma Durga's nine avatars -- Goddess Shailputri, Goddess Brahmacharini, Goddess Chandraghanta, Goddess Kushmanda, Goddess Skandamata, Goddess Katyayani, Goddess Kalaratri, Goddess Mahagauri and Goddess Siddhidatri.
West Bengal is home to 43,000 Durga Pujas, and the business around it is a major economic driver.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a Durga Puja pandal that replicates garment shops ahead of Durga Puja in Kolkata on Sunday, October 10, 2021.
Durga pujo celebrations continue, and this time, Alia Bhatt joins the Mukherjees at the the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal.
Srinagar International Airport will suspend all flight operations for 15 days from October 1 for crucial runway maintenance, raising alarm bells within the tourism industry that fears the shutdown will deal a massive blow to the sector as it directly clashes with the peak Durga Puja holiday season.
Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho will visit to Kolkata in October.
'The Ayodhya incident has certainly hurt the faith of all of us, of Ram devotees like us.'
Bollywood folk celebrate Durga Puja at the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja -- or the Mukherjee Bari Pujo -- in Juhu, north west Mumbai, on Thursday, October 14, 2021.
The Mukherjee family reunion at the Durga Puja celebration.
The developments came after an FIR was registered in the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Unesco on Wednesday accorded heritage status to Kolkata's Durga puja festival, bringing glory to the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lauding the move.
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho on Sunday arrived in Kolkata on a two-day visit.
Breaking centuries-old custom, for the first time in the history of Durga Puja in West Bengal, women priests Nandini Bhowmik, Ruma Roy, Seymanti Banerjee and Poulami Chakraborty performed rituals on the occasion of Maha Sasthi, October 11, 2021.
'Kajol has always been very particular about Nysa and Yug coming for the puja every year.'
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Wearing his infectious goofy grin, 'Samba Magician' Ronaldinho cast a spell on the football-crazy denizens of Kolkata as his arrival for a two-day visit in Kolkata ushered in an early onset of the Durga Puja festival.
Mahalaya, though essentially about the goddess, wasn't religious for us. And it isn't for most Bengalis. Mahalaya is an emotion. It's gooseflesh for a memory. A welling up of happy tears. A celebration of what is to come.
A community Durga Puja pandal based on the theme of 'Fight Against Coronavirus' at Raiganj in North Dinajpur district, West Bengal.
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Forum for Durgotsab, an umbrella organisation of 550 community Durga Pujas in Kolkata and neighbouring areas, also published guidelines to ensure that the festivities are held following COVID-safety protocols.
'I want to take Durga Maa's blessings and achieve a lot more'
An under-trial prisoner escaped from Kalahandi district jail in Odisha by scaling a 20-foot wall. An investigation is underway, and a search operation has been launched to recapture the escapee.
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Don't miss these pictures from the festivities.
Tarun Vijay visits 20 Durga Puja pandals in five towns in Bangladesh and comes back impressed.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has accused the TMC of conspiring to include infiltrators in electoral rolls, claiming the party objects to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) while those rightfully removed from the rolls did not protest.
The Mukherjees are in a festive mood!
Bollywood stars turned revelers during the ongoing Durga Puja and Navratri.
