City celebrates Kali Puja; thousands throng temples, pandals

Kolkata: The Kali Puja in Kolkata was observed with great pomp and religious fervour. Thousands visited the pandals and offered puspanjali at night.

Ahead of Deepavali, the festival of lights, the city wore a bright look with illumination everywhere, including on all vital installations.

Wishing the people on the occasion, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cautioned everybody to be on guard so that one's enjoyment should not become the cause of pain for others.

"May the light of the festival fill your life with joy. Soak in the festive spirit, but exercise caution. Your enjoyment should not become the cause of pain for others," she tweeted.

For the past 40 years, the Chief Minister has been organising Kali Puja at her residence. She, along with her family members, observe fast throughout the day and offer pushpanjali at night. Guests are offered bhog after the puja.

Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi also wished the people on this occasion.

In a statement, Tripathi said: "May this festive occasion illuminate our mind and bring joy and happiness to the people of the state." People came out on the streets in the evening and were seen enjoying fireworks. However, bursting of crackers was much less this time due to restrictions by Supreme Court.

A large number of devotees visited the Kalighat, Dakshineswar and Adyapith Kali temples in and around the city to offer prayers to the Goddess on the auspicious day. At the Tarapith temple in Birbhum district, the devotees had to stand in long queues to offer puja. Among other places, Kali puja was also held at the Thanthania Kali temple in North Kolkata, Lake Kali temple in South Kolkata and Firinghee Kali temple in central Kolkata. Like the previous years, Kali puja was also held at the residence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Many important personalities, officials and dignitaries attended the puja. Tight security arrangements were seen at Dakshineswar where devotees stood in long queues to offer puja to Bhabatarini. For hassle-free darshan, Rani Rashmani skywalk was inaugurated by the Chief Minister just a couple of days ahead of Kali Puja at a function on Monday.

The skywalk that has come up at an approximate cost of Rs 80 crore is a steel pedestrian bridge which is 340 metre in length and 10 metre wide with around 137 shops and utility rooms. Each of the elevators has a capacity to carry 20 people and there are around 14 escalators and six stairs including a fire exit. Thousands visited Kalighat on Tuesday. There was tight security arrangement in the area so that devotees do not face any trouble.

A large number of people visited Kali Puja organised by Bengal Congress president Somen Mitra on Amherst Street and Naba Jubak Sangha on Keshab Sen Street. The pujas are famous since 70s. Mitra has been organising the puja at Amherst Street while the key person behind the puja at Naba Jubak Sangha was Krishna Chandra Dutta, alias Phata Kesto. It was he who had brought electricians from Chandannagar to decorate and illuminate the area in 1973.

There are many famous Kali Pujas in Chetla area where pandal-hoppers gather in the evening. The police have made all necessary arrangements to avoid any untoward incident during the festival.

The Prakriti Tirtha Abashik Forum celebrated their first Kali Puja in New Town on Tuesday, following all the rituals.

Barasat in North 24-Parganas is well-known for Kali Puja. People from all over the state visit the place for pandal-hopping. All arrangements were made by the police and Fire Services department to prevent any untoward incident.