Award-winning Durga idols paraded in Kolkata's Red Road Carnival
While Durga Puja is over, Kolkata witnessed the last of the grand celebrations with some 72, mostly award-winning, idols of the goddess in tableaux paraded through Red Road on Tuesday (23-10-2018) ahead of their immersion. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee along with a host of celebrties and thousands of spectators were present at the show dubbed as a carnival. It was also marked by cultural presentations.Images By Subhodeep Sardar/IBNS
As Kolkata celebrates Durga Puja, IBNS brings to you the best of the city’s idols and pandals. Images by Avishek Mitra.
Kolkata witnesses grand Durga Puja finale with immersion carnival on Red Road
It was a grand treat for Kolkatans on Friday (Oct 14, 2016) as the finale of the biggest carnival of Bengalis, Durga Puja, was concluded with a gala parade on Red Road where 39 of the best Puja committees marched with their idols before immersion. The idea to hold the procession before immersion in this grandeur manner was the brain child of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who herself was present at the audience during the parade. The programme was conducted by the West Bengal Government along with the aid of the Kolkata Police. Each puja committee showcased a tableaux, including a miniature pandal where they hosted Ma Durga for the past few days. It was all glam and glitterati at the Red Road on Friday leaving Kolkatans with a year-long wait.
Durga Puja: Kolkata gears up for Maha Saptami celebrations
Worshipers started visiting Durga Puja pandals from morning as the city is in the mood of Maha Saptami celebrations on Tuesday (October 20, 2015). Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Kolkatans witness 'Kolabou snan' on Mahasaptami
Mahasaptami is one of the important days in the course of Durga Puja, which the Kolkatans ardently wait for. It is from this day, the main rituals associated with the Durga Puja commences. On Mahasaptami, some important rituals of the puja are performed with 'Nabapatrika snan' or 'Kolabou snan' (bathing of banana bride) and 'pravesh' (entrance of Goddess in the mandap-the place of worship) at dawn. The stem of a banana plant is bathed and draped in a red and white saree that make it look like a newly wed bride and then placed beside Lord Ganesha as 'Kalabou' is considered to be his wife according to Hindu mythology. Images by Sounak Choudhury/IBNS
Kolkatans witness 'Kolabou snan' on Mahasaptami
Mahasaptami is one of the important days in the course of Durga Puja, which the Kolkatans ardently wait for. It is from this day, the main rituals associated with the Durga Puja commences. On Mahasaptami, some important rituals of the puja are performed with 'Nabapatrika snan' or 'Kolabou snan' (bathing of banana bride) and 'pravesh' (entrance of Goddess in the mandap-the place of worship) at dawn. The stem of a banana plant is bathed and draped in a red and white saree that make it look like a newly wed bride and then placed beside Lord Ganesha as 'Kalabou' is considered to be his wife according to Hindu mythology. Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
