Durga Puja revellers flock early to pandals in West Bengal fearing rain

Durga Puja revellers hit the streets of Kolkata in giant numbers on Sunday (September 28, 2025), anticipating dangerous climate and rain over the subsequent few days. A low-pressure space is more likely to kind over the North & adjoining Central Bay of Bengal, and rain is forecast.

From north, to south individuals pandal hopped in giant numbers on the sixth day of the pageant. Kolkata obtained torrential rains on Monday morning, which claimed 10 lives, however individuals have put the deluge behind them.

“Under the affect of the above anticipated low strain space, mild to average rainfall at most locations over West Bengal with remoted heavy to very heavy rainfall very possible over some districts of West Bengal throughout 2nd to 4th October,” a press assertion by the Indian Meteorological Department mentioned.

Metro carries 9.82 lakh

Durga Puja festivities will peak over the subsequent 4 days of Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami. Over the previous few years, a development has been noticed the place Durga Puja revellers are selecting to go to pandals earlier than the height festivities decide up from Saptami. The pageant will conclude with the Durga Puja carnival on the Red Road, scheduled for October 5.

On Saturday, the Kolkata Metro recorded its highest-ever passenger rely of 9.82 lakhs. “An estimated 9.82 lakh passengers travelled on totally different corridors (of the Metro Railway) on Panchami, September 27,” a press release by the Kolkata Metro mentioned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, throughout his Man Ki Baat telecast on Sunday, referred to the inclusion of Durga Puja in Kolkata within the UNESCO record of intangible heritage of humanity in 2021.

“Friends, a while in the past, on account of comparable efforts by the Government of India, Kolkata’s Durga Puja additionally grew to become part of this UNESCO record. If we accord our cultural occasions such international recognition, the world can even find out about them, perceive them, and are available ahead to take part in them,” Mr. Modi mentioned. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee additionally greeted the individuals on the event of Sasthi and shared a tune sung by Trinamool Congress Minister Babul Supriyo.

Meanwhile, organisers at Md. Ali Park in Central Kolkata, who had closed their Puja Pandal on Saturday after diversion of routes, opened the pandal on Sunday after a gathering with the Kolkata Police.  On Saturday, organisers of Santosh Mitra Square had alleged police harassment over their mild and sound present themed on Operation Sindoor.

Large crowds had been additionally seen within the suburbs of the town and within the districts throughout West Bengal. There are about 3,000 Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata and 40,000 throughout the State. The West Bengal authorities has distributed ₹1.10 lakh to every pandal, which price the State exchequer ₹500 crore.