Kolkata, Nov 8 Kali Puja was celebrated amid festive fervour across West Bengal on Sunday, with temples witnessing large gatherings of devotees, pandals drawing crowds and neighbourhoods illuminated with decorative lights.
Thousands of devotees queued up at prominent shrines, including Dakshineswar Temple, Kalighat Temple and Tarapith, to offer prayers to Goddess Kali.
The famous Boro Maa Kali Puja in North 24 Parganas district’s Naihati drew a large number of devotees from different parts of the state.
Kolkata wore a festive look, with colourful lighting, elaborately decorated pandals and illuminated streets adding to the celebrations.
Kali Puja pandals in Barasat, Madhyamgram, and Habra in North 24 Parganas drew hundreds of enthusiasts. Similar scenes were witnessed in Asansol, Durgapur, Kalyani, and Siliguri.
Security was beefed up across the state, with personnel of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) monitoring the use of firecrackers, officials said.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari greeted people on the occasion.
“May Maa Kali bless you with the strength and courage to face all the challenges and overcome the hurdles of life,” he said.
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya visited Lake Kalibari and offered prayers to the deity.
Former chief minister Mamata Banerjee also extended greetings to the people on the occasion, besides sharing photos of Kali Puja at her home.
People lined up before her residence at Harish Chatterjee Street in south Kolkata to have a glimpse of the deity and offer prayers.
(PTI News)
