Kolkata, Oct. 19 -- Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly offered prayers to Goddess Durga and participated in the Maha Ashtami Aarti in Behala on Monday, marking the occasion of Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami.

Speaking to reporters, Ganguly said that Maha Ashtami holds special significance for Bengalis as part of the Durga Puja celebrations.

"It's the time of Durga Puja, Maha Ashtami. It is a big puja occasion for the Bengalis, for us. So today is the day of Ashtami; the puja has just happened," he said.

Notably, amidst the Durga Puja celebrations, Kolkata witnessed a tragic incident on Saturday as a stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal claimed 19 lives and left at least 25 injured.

Ganguly described the Chorbagan Durga Puja pa...