Overview

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Delhi’s Kali Bari and the CR Park Durga Puja pandal on Maha Ashtami, offering prayers and performing aarti following SPG security checks and traffic curbs in the area.
• Maha Navami rituals are underway today with large gatherings across India, Kanya/Kanjak puja timings published for devotees, and preparations continuing for Vijayadashami.
• West Bengal reported lakhs visiting marquee pandals on Navami, with the weather office forecasting light to moderate rain from tonight into Dashami.
• The festival’s creative installations span CR Park’s 50th‑year Sonar Kella–inspired Jaisalmer Fort theme to a Lucknow pandal depicting an ‘American Tariff’ demon.
• Cities reported crowding and traffic pressure, including over 172 pandals and a 62‑ft Durga idol in Bhubaneswar, while Mumbai’s North Bombay Sarbojanin saw visits by Priyanka Chopra, Twinkle Khanna, Rani Mukerji, Kajol and Ranbir Kapoor.