Durga

More than one lakh devotees thronged the Kanaka Durga temple on Vijayawada's Indrakeeladri hill on the opening day of the Dasara festival, according to the Times of India. The huge turnout marks the start of the nine-day celebrations, with large crowds expected to continue through the festivities.

Kolkata's Durga Puja celebrations are drawing attention after an event at Eden Gardens featuring a large-scale drone light show, alongside free food distribution linked to the 6 Ballygunge pandal. The opening is being described as a historic first for the iconic cricket ground, adding to the city's reputation for putting on some of India's grandest Durga Puja festivities.

Navratri, the nine-night Hindu festival honouring the goddess Durga, is under way in India, with Telugu-language media publishing guides on which of Durga's nine avatars is worshipped each day and which flowers should be offered. Devotees are following daily puja traditions ahead of Dasara festivities, with temples and households observing rituals throughout the period.

Mahalaya, the day that marks the beginning of Durga Puja, has been celebrated across Kolkata in festive spirit, with Eden Gardens among the city's landmarks joining the celebrations. Bengali media, including Sangbad Pratidin, have highlighted how the city welcomes the festival season with decorations and cultural traditions.

A spectacular drone show was staged at Eden Gardens in Kolkata for Mahalaya, with dozens of drones forming eye-catching patterns in the night sky ahead of Durga Puja. Crowds gathered to watch the dazzling display, which has drawn wide attention and praise online, adding a modern twist to the traditional festival celebrations in the city.

Mahalaya celebrations in Kolkata are drawing large gatherings, with events reported at Red Road and Eden Gardens. Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari is among those present, and the celebrations are being followed live by audiences online. The festive programming marks the start of Durga Puja week in West Bengal, with viewers reacting to the scale of the arrangements across the city.

A large drone light show is being staged at Eden Gardens in Kolkata to mark Mahalaya and the grand opening of Durga Puja celebrations, with the full performance released in 4K footage. The display is drawing wide attention as the festival season begins, with viewers praising the scale and spectacle of the drones over the iconic ground ahead of the 2026 festivities.

Mahalaya, marking the beginning of Durga Puja, is drawing wide attention across India, with searches and discussion peaking. Bengalis traditionally wake before dawn on this day to listen to the Chandipath recitation, a radio tradition dating back decades that invokes Goddess Durga and signals the countdown to the festival. Outlets are explaining the ritual's origins and its enduring cultural significance for families.

Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens cricket stadium echoed with the beats of the dhak as West Bengal prepares for Mahalaya, the traditional start of Durga Puja festivities. The event, captured on video and shared by NDTV, shows drummers marking the occasion at the famous venue. West Bengal is currently a top trending topic in India as celebrations begin.

A festive family moment is drawing large attention as children take part in their first Navratri celebrations, marked with the greeting 'Jai Mata Di'. Viewers are responding warmly to the traditional observance, which falls during the nine-night Hindu festival honouring the goddess Durga. The celebrations have resonated widely with audiences following the festival season in India and among the diaspora.

A group of foreign diplomats visited Kolkata's famous Durga Puja pandals, describing the experience as "incredible". The visit highlighted the festival's cultural reach and Kolkata's reputation for elaborate puja artistry, with diplomats praising the craftsmanship and atmosphere of the celebrations.

Durga Puja festivities opened in grand style at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, West Bengal, with senior leader Suvendu Adhikari among those attending the inauguration. The event marks the start of the state's biggest annual festival, and the prominent venue and political presence have drawn wide attention as celebrations begin across Bengal.

Devotional music by veteran singer Lakhbir Singh Lakha, known for his Mata bhajans, is drawing large audiences ahead of Navratri 2026. A compilation of his popular hymns to the goddess has accumulated millions of likes, reflecting strong demand for bhakti songs during the festival season dedicated to the nine forms of Durga.

Devotional chants praising Goddess Durga are drawing large audiences ahead of Shardiya Navratri 2026, with listeners seeking blessings for strength, health and wealth during the nine-night Hindu festival. The prayers, recited widely during Navratri, are being shared as special devotional content for the upcoming celebration period.

West Bengal is marking Mahalaya 2026, the traditional start of Durga Puja celebrations, with live coverage of the day's rituals across Bengali media. Attention is also on Kolkata's Eden Gardens, which has been decorated ahead of a mega event tied to the festivities. Devotees are observing the occasion that formally inaugurates the puja season.

Mahalaya, the day heralding the arrival of Goddess Durga, is being observed across India and West Bengal ahead of Durga Puja. Many Bengalis wake before dawn on this day to listen to the traditional radio recitation of Chandipath, a decades-old ritual. The Economic Times explains the story behind the 4 AM tradition and its cultural significance as preparations for the festival begin.

The traditional aarti of Maa Durga, beginning 'Om Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri', is drawing wide attention as Sharad Navratri gets underway in India. The nine-day festival sees devotees observe fasts and offer daily prayers to the goddess, with Hindi publications sharing full aarti lyrics for worshippers to recite each day during the festival.

"Jai Ambe Gauri", the traditional aarti dedicated to Goddess Durga, is drawing renewed attention across India. The devotional hymn, sung daily during Navratri in temples and homes, is being searched and shared widely as devotees observe the festival season. Many are posting renditions and lyrics, keeping the chant among the country's most-viewed devotional content at the moment.

Sharadiya Navratri is beginning, with searches across India asking when the festival starts. Reports say the nine-day festival opens with worship of Goddess Shailputri, the first form of Durga, and ghatasthapana rituals. Coverage also highlights traditional beliefs about the goddess's arrival, her vehicle and the significance of kalash sthapana at home, with devotees preparing for fasting and prayers through the festival.

Navratri greetings are being shared for the festival running from October 11 to 21. Among them, the Srividya Tantra Peedom, which offers free online education in Srividya Tantra puja and tantra yoga, is wishing devotees a blessed Navratri and pointing to its classes and WhatsApp contact. The nine-night Hindu festival honouring the goddess Durga draws widespread greetings and religious activity each year.

Retailer KanakaDurga Collections has launched a new collection tied to the Dasara festival, promoted alongside an ongoing sale offer. The festive-season promotion is drawing significant attention as shoppers look for traditional clothing and deals ahead of the celebrations.

Birendra Krishna Bhadra's Mahalaya is once again in focus as West Bengal marks the occasion. His classic dawn recitation of the Chandipath, broadcast for decades on All India Radio, remains a cherished tradition marking the start of Durga Puja. Anandabazar noted the day's significance, and listeners continue to celebrate his iconic voice each year.

Kolkata is preparing for Durga Puja 2026, with ornamental arches being installed along Red Road, including a striking design featuring a giant lotus motif. Bengali media report that the city is being decked out for mother goddess worship ahead of the festival, and the elaborate street decorations are drawing public attention as the celebrations approach.