In Pics: Kolkata Heralds Durga Puja With a Kilometer-Long Alpona

Take a look at the stunning motifs, hand-painted by an enthusiastic lot in the city of joy.

The longest road alpona is seen at Lake Road in South Kolkata. 

(Photo Courtesy: IBNS/Avishek Mitra)

The City of Joy is gearing up for the biggest festival of the year!

Invoking goddess Durga on earth, West Bengal on Tuesday observed Mahalaya with devotional songs, scriptural recitations, prayers and street art as greetings enlivened a rainy day.

Celebrated a week before the five-day Durga puja begins, Mahalaya essentially heralds the homecoming of the goddess. Here’s a view during the unveiling of a kilometer-long street Alpona (paintings that mark auspicious occasions) at Lake Road in South Kolkata on Tuesday.

Women paint the Lake Road in Kolkata.(Photo Courtesy: IBNS/Avishek Mitra)

Mahalaya marks the beginning of Pujo.(Photo Courtesy: IBNS/Avishek Mitra)

Several Dhaakis performed on the occassion. (Photo: PTI)

Pujo will be celebrated for seven days, which will start from September 25 and will end on September 30. (Photo: PTI)

Actor Sabyasachi Chakrabarty joined the celebration.(Photo: PTI)

Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee was also seen painting a part of the Alpona at Lake Road in Kolkata.(Photo: PTI)

A breathtaking view from the top.(Photo Courtesy: IBNS/Avishek Mitra)

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