Thousands throng ghats to offer tarpan on Mahalaya

Leader of Opposition in state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, led a religious procession at Contai in Purba Medinipur on Saturday.

beginning of Bengali festive season, Thousands devotee offered tarpan, River Hooghly, Mahalaya, River traffic police, Vehicular movements, indian express news

People offer tarpan in Kolkata on Saturday. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

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Thousands of people offered tarpan on the banks of River Hooghly to pay obeisance to their forefathers on the occasion of Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of the Bengali festive season.

River traffic police kept a strict vigil along various ghats of Hooghly to prevent any untoward incident. Adequate security measures were taken at the 18 ghats in Kolkata where devotees offered ‘tarpan’. Vehicular movements on the roads leading up to the ghats were also restricted, police said.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings to the people. “On this revered day of Mahalaya, we pray Maa Durga blesses everyone’s lives with strength, wisdom, and prosperity. May this special occasion be a beacon of courage, harmony and prosperity. Shubho Mahalaya!” PM Modi said on his ‘X’ handle. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also wished people on the occasion. In a post on ‘X’, the TMC MP said, “May this day usher in hope, strength, and harmony. As we prepare for Durga Pujo, let us come together in the spirit of unity and celebration.”

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BJP leaders, meanwhile, offered tarpan at the Ahiritola ghat to all party workers who were killed in political violence in the state over the past few years. State BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said, “Today, we wanted to pay tribute to our workers who were killed in political violence in Bengal. We can never forget their contribution to the party.”

Leader of Opposition in state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, led a religious procession at Contai in Purba Medinipur on Saturday.

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