Patna: Festive fervour gripped the state capital on Sunday as Maa Durga idols were unveiled on Saptami, marking the formal beginning of Durga Puja celebrations. Lakhs of devotees thronged puja pandals across Patna for darshan, turning the city into a sea of faith and festivity. As curtains were lifted following Pran Pratishtha and Saptami puja, chants of ‘Jai Mata Di’ reverberated across the city. Major pandals witnessed a heavy rush from evening onwards, with children, youngsters, families and elderly people waiting in long queues for hours to catch a glimpse of the Goddess.From Dak Bungalow Chauraha to Bengali Akhara, Mithapur, Boring Road, Raja Bazar, Khajpura and Gardanibagh, families, groups of friends and visitors flocked to the pandals. Colourful illumination, elaborate temple-inspired structures, devotional music and ceremonial drums added to the festive atmosphere. Devotees offered flowers and prayers, seeking peace, prosperity and well-being for their families. Many also stopped to admire the idols and intricate decorations, taking photographs and exploring different pandals.At Dak Bungalow Chauraha, one of the capital’s prominent Durga Puja destinations, an 80-foot-tall recreation of the Khajuraho temple emerged as a major attraction. The structure, around 55 feet wide, features handcrafted decorations made from hogla leaves sourced from Bengal. Organised by Navyuvak Sangh Shri Durga Puja Samiti Trust in its 63rd year, the pandal houses a 21-foot idol of Maa Durga in her ‘Ashirwaadi’ form. Six to seven lakh tiny lights illuminate the structure and its surroundings, adding to the spectacle after dusk.At Sheikhpura, Boring Road, Kankarbagh, Rajendra Nagar and Kurji, devotees waited for almost an hour for darshan. The Khaitan Market puja, Patna’s oldest community puja, also saw heavy footfall after the idol, adorned in traditional Bengali attire, was unveiled. At several places, puja committees put up barricades and called police to manage the crowds.A devotee, Ritu Sharma, who visited the Boring Road pandal with her family, said, “We have been waiting since 6 pm. The decoration is marvellous and the idol is divine. The wait is worth it.”Elsewhere, Bengali Akhara, Patna Kalibari, Gardanibagh and New Railway Colony near the CDM building witnessed traditional Bengali rituals, including Nabapatrika Pravesh, the ceremonial installation associated with Saptami worship, followed by aarti and pushpanjali. The rituals brought together religious observance and cultural traditions that have long been central to Durga Puja celebrations in the city.“We wait for this day all year. The moment Maa Durga’s face is unveiled, it feels as if happiness has returned to our homes. Saptami is not just a festival; it is an emotion,” said Animesh Mandal, a resident of Patel Nagar.Mahavir Mandir near Patna Junction also welcomed devotees to its specially designed 3D Durga Puja mandap from 8am. The temple management made arrangements for ritual worship, orderly darshan and crowd control, anticipating a substantial turnout during the festivities.The festive rush also brought cheer to markets. From new clothes shops to street food stalls outside pandals, businesses reported heavy sales as families stepped out to celebrate Saptami.Renu Sahay, a resident of Khajpura, said, “Patna looks magical during Durga Puja. Every pandal has a different story, and walking around with friends, clicking pictures and taking Maa’s blessings is the best part of the festival.”
