On the auspicious start of the nine-day religious festival, devotees are thronging temples in several parts of the country today to offer prayers to Goddess Durga in her nine forms.
"Firstly, I want to thank Maa Durga that I got the opportunity to come here. I receive a lot of love whenever I come to Kolkata. I pray Maa Durga showers her blessings on everyone and everyone stays happy and healthy," the AAP MP told reporters on Sunday.
On the auspicious start of the nine-day religious festival, devotees are thronging temples in several parts of the country today to offer prayers to Goddess Durga in her nine forms. Large gatherings were also witnessed at Kalkaji Temple and Jhandewalan Temple in Delhi.
As the festival of Sharadiya Navratri began on Monday, devotees thronged temples in the national capital to offer prayers to Goddess Durga and her nine forms.
Leader of Opposition in West Bengal and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of trying to divide Hindus by highlighting differences among them.
Speaking to reporters, Adhikari said, "This is an attack on Hindu traditions. Today is the last day of Pitru Paksha. No auspicious work is done during Pitru Paksha." He alleged that Banerjee was trying to exploit religious sentiments for political gains with elections six months away."
Kailash Kumar Mandal, a skilled artisan who has been making clay idols for 22 years, shares his journey. Originally from Kolkata, Mandal started this business in Hyderabad and has been perfecting his craft ever since.
According to the calendar, the festival will begin with Maha Panchami on Sept 27, followed by Maha Shasthi on Sept 28, Maha Saptami on September 29, Maha Ashtami on September 30, Maha Nabami on October 1, and Bijoya Dashami on October 2.
Durga Puja, once regarded as the greatest festival of the Hindu Bengali community, has now become a universal celebration across Tripura. However, the largest and most vibrant festivities continue to take place in the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) area, where a total of 806 pujas a