Kolkata, Oct. 17 -- Durga Puja began in its traditional ritualistic sense on Saturday with the ceremonial bathing of the nine sacred plants known as 'Nabapatrika' across West Bengal, as favourable weather drew more people out for pandal-hopping..
Durga Puja organisers made a beeline for the banks of the Ganga and other rivers and water bodies for a ritualistic bath of the 'Nabapatrika' draped in a saree..
Across Kolkata, pandal-hopping picked up pace from the morning, with favourable weather encouraging more people to step out and visit the city's elaborate puja installations.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari extended greetings to people on the occasion, while the BJP's state president Samik Bhattacharya also visited various puja pandals in the city.
This year, Maha Saptami rituals are spread over two days.
With the weekend adding to the festive fervour, crowds are expected to swell at prominent pandals throughout the day, especially in the evening.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.