Kolkata’s Ganga ghats are becoming a lively canvas of rituals, reunions, and festive cheer as
Durga Puja draws near. With just a few days to go before the grand festival, the ghats are seeing a surge of activity—from the solemnity of Mahalaya’s early morning tarpan to the colourful gathering of friends and couples dressed in ethnic attire.
On Mahalaya morning, hundreds of devotees performed tarpan to honour their ancestors, the sacred ritual marking the beginning of Debipokkho.
“For me, Mahalaya is the real start of Durga Puja,” said Satyajit Dutta, a resident, as he completed his annual prayer at Ahiritola ghat.

pic Eshna Bhattacharya
Later in the day, the ghats turn colourful as groups of friends in saris and kurtas gather for selfies and catch-ups. “It’s a tradition for us to come here all dressed up,” said Ananya Roy, enjoying the lively atmosphere at Prinsep Ghat with her friends.
The ghats provide a picturesque backdrop for the city’s mix of spiritual devotion and social celebrations, where old Kolkata charm meets modern festivity