Kolkata was swept up in a tide of devotion, celebration and unstoppable joy
The festivities began with trucks lining up and waiting for their turn to pick up idols from Kumartuli.
The city refused to let the constant forecast of rain dampen its spirit.
Even the Goddess was rain-ready.
Devotion ruled over hearts, minds and puja mandaps.
Flickering flames of diyas, the smell of incense and the sound of dhaak made the Puja feeling come alive.
Endless laughter echoed through fair grounds as the city’s youngsters embraced Durga Puja’s carnivalesque spirit with open arms.
All-night adda sessions, endless selfies with friends and food binges ruled the city.
The City of Joy also became ground zero for one of the world’s largest street art festivals, as bright and innovatively designed pandals took over the city’s streets.
There were tireless queues snaking outside Puja pandals across the city.
Cultural programmes and stunning artistry painted Kolkata’s every lane in celebratory vibes.
As the last echoes of the dhaak faded and the final aarti flames flickered out after five magical days, splashes of red vermilion and ululation took over during sindoorkhela.
Joyous shouts of "ashchey bochor abar esho, Ma" filled the rain-soaked air.
The festive spirit that blossomed through the Puja days refused to die down even after the final Durga pratima (idol) was immersed in the Ganga.
The city bid goodbye to Durga Puja 2025 – recharged and already counting down to next year's homecoming.
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