In pictures: ‘Nabapatrika snan’, pandal-hopping and more on Saptami

A ‘kolabou’ being carried after ‘nabapatrika snan’, a ritual typical of Saptami, at a Ganga ghat in north Kolkata and (below) women dance in joy to mark the occasion

Dhakis in action during ‘kolabou snan’ at a north Kolkata ghat on Saptami

The goddess comes alive at the Haridevpur 41 Pally Durga puja pandal in a lifelike figure. The theme of the puja, Ablution, is a tribute to sacred cleansing. Visitors are transported to the sacred ghats of Varanasi, where the divine meets the earthly. The intricately crafted Munshi Ghat replica faithfully recreates the aura of Varanasi. Lifelike statues of saints can be seen inside

A giant head of Durga is the pandal at the 66 Pally puja in Kalighat. The puja tells the story of the multifaceted deity’s creations, emphasising the truth of ‘maati’ (soil) and society

Ferris wheel, merry-go-round and other thrilling rides beckon the young and old alike well past midnight at the Salt Lake BJ Block ‘mela’. The pandal here is Lord Shiva-themed

Selfie time at Maddox Square and (right) dhaakis set the mood

Sashthi evening crowd at Maddox Square, the No. 1 adda zone

Kolkata Traffic Police sergeants guide pandal-hoppers at the Manicktala crossing on Saptami afternoon

The crowd at the Newtown Sarbojonin puja at 2am on Sashthi