Curtains came down on Kolkata’s extravaganza called Durga Puja with the chief minister’s final signoff on Tuesday, October 3 at Red Road. Sixty-seven of Kolkata’s finest idols were wheeled down on a roadshow where a gathering of nearly 50,000 people made Red Road and adjoining areas chock-a-block. After the six-day lull of Durga Puja festivities, Kolkata was woke up to finally bid adieu to the goddess at a colourful and grand roadshow.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s autumn carnival that was introduced from last year, saw a far greater turnout than expected. “Seating arrangements were made for about 25,000 people, but the turnout was nearly 50,000. Many people came from the districts and rural belt,” said an official who was among the organizing committee. Along with people from the state, several tourists had also gathered to witness the revelry involved with this festival. The programme was attended by several dignitaries including cultural affairs minister Indranil Sen, education minister Partha Chattopadhyay, food minister Jatupriya Mullick, MP Sudip Bandopadhyay and others.
Apart from the idols and themes the state government’s welfare schemes like Kanyasree, Safe Drive Save Life and the U-17 Football World Cup were also showcased at the carnival.
After the roadshow, the puja committees took their idols towards the ghats of the Hooghly river for immersion.
Some of the participating Puja Committees:
Bakulbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav
Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durga Puja Committee
Golfgreen Sarodotsav Committee
YubaMitra
Tala Park Sarbojanin
Kumartuli Sarbojanin Durgotsav
Samaj Sebi Sangha
Bhawanipur 75 Palli
Hatibagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee
Kashi Bose Lane Durga Puja Committee
Ultadanga Pallisri
