Mahalaya marks the end of the 15-day ancestral mourning period called Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha.

Drone show lights up sky. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Drone show depicts Goddess Durga's arrival

At a grand event, organised as an alternative to the Durga Puja carnival held after Vijaya Dashami by the previous TMC government, Maa Durga appeared to take flight in a mesmerising drone show at the iconic Eden Gardens.

Anchored by actor Sauraseni Maitra, the programme featured musical performances by singers Shaan, Shantanu Moitra and Kaushiki Chakraborty, besides a performance by 3,000 dhaakis.

Dhaakis performing at the Eden Gardens. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

The event culminated in a spectacular drone show depicting the arrival of Goddess Durga.

Adhikari outlines three key changes in Durga Puja policy

Addressing the packed stadium, illuminated by an elaborate display of lights and sound, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari highlighted three significant departures in his government's approach to Durga Puja: no pandal inaugurations during Pitru Paksha, financial assistance for puja committees on a voluntary basis, and seamless permission to Durga Pujas.

A spectacular drone show marking Maa Durga's arrival. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Taking a dig at his predecessor Mamata Banerjee, who was known for inaugurating Durga Puja pandals before Devi Paksha, Adhikari said, “Our government had decided that no puja pandals would be inaugurated during Pitru Paksha. We also wanted to uphold religious norms while preserving the cultural significance of Durga Puja."

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari at the event. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

“We had left it to the puja committees to decide whether to accept the financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh, assuring them that the government would not adopt an antagonistic stance towards those who chose to forgo the grant. Responding to our appeal, more than 200 clubs in Kolkata gave up their claims to the funds to ensure that the money could be directed towards puja committees in rural areas.

“During the previous regime, several puja committees had to approach the courts to seek permission. No such situation has arisen this year. Our government has granted permission to 12,400 new puja committees,” the Chief Minister added.

Cultural programme on the beginning of Devi Paksha at the Eden Gardens. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Mithun Chakraborty, Taslima Nasreen attend programme

Adhikari was joined by his cabinet ministers, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty, and BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya, among others.

Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, who made her first visit to West Bengal in almost 20 years during the tenure of the five-month-old government, was also present on the dais.

(Photos: Avishek Mitra/IBNS)