In Pics: Bidding adieu to Ma Durga

As the fragrance of shiuli filled the air, rainclouds gave way to the azure autumn sky and drumbeats reached a crescendo, work — like everywhere else in Bengal — took a backseat in Tolly Town. And no one seemed to mind. Celebs made the most of the four fun-filled days before plunging headlong into their busy schedules once again. Durga Puja, they know, will not come back before another year. It was two for joy as Rituparna Sengupta and Purab Kohli went click happy at Agnidev Chatterjee’s Puja. Purab even sat with the dhaakis and learnt a trick or two.

Gargee RoyChowdhury, who turned heads at Hindusthan Park, said she loved the ambience at the Puja. ‘I did my share of pandal-hopping. But this was, by far, the best I saw,’ she said. Arunima Ghosh offered prayers to the goddess at Durga Bari. So, what did she ask for? ‘Peace. Peace and more peace,’ she told us. Way to go, gal!

Now, that’s a truly rare sight. Tollywood hunk Jeet played the dhaak amidst much fanfare at Lake Sarbojonin. Clapping to the beats — amongst others — was wifey Mohna. Since it was Jisshu’s para, the two heroes were caught having a gala time. Nilanjanaa and Mohna, who are close friends, much like their hubbies, have even promised to do baran together, next year.

The Chatterjee residence had thrown its doors open for all during the Puja days. Playing hosts were Agnidev and Sudipa. They even offered the mahabhog together to the Devi. Shaheb Bhattacherjee, who looked dapper in a flaming-red kutra that he teamed with an ethnic jacket, drummed up a storm at Agnidev’s residence on Ashtami and even shook a leg while Purab Kohli tagged along.

Sidhu was in Kolkata for a day in between Cactus’ shows in Mumbai. The vocalist broke to us a sad piece of news on Saptami, ‘Kutty of Abhilasha passed away this morning. How can we celebrate Puja?’ Before flying off to Delhi, where Chandrabindoo had lined up quite a few shows, Upal Sengupta took part in the Puja rituals in his para. ‘I’ll be leaving for Bangladesh after spending a day in Kolkata,’ he said. Puja, for him, was all about making music .

Debajyoti Mishra played the dhaak in style on all Puja days. The effect was hypnotic! ‘The beats touch your heart,’ smiled the composer. Singer and BJP MP Babul Supriyo spent a day in the city just ahead of Durga Puja. ‘My daughter’s exams are nearing and I’ll have to be in Mumbai,’ he insisted.

Sayantika Banerjee took time out to be at Laboni Housing Estate, her very own parar Puja. ‘Every year, I promise myself to spend more time here, but never manage,’ said the pretty actress. The family man that he is, Tota Roychoudhury spent maximum time with his daughter Mrigakshi at their parar Puja in Kankurgachi. How we love the father-daughter jugalbandi!

It was Koel’s second sindoor khela at the Mallick Bari. And she left no stone unturned to ensure a 10-on-10 family time. Accompanied by parents Ranjit and Deepa Mallick, the actress prayed to the Devi for peace and prosperity. When Nilanjanaa took part in sindoor khela, she had none other than doting hubby Jisshu Sengupta by her side. The scene of action was the duo’s neighbourhood pandal. And together, they did paint the town red. What a cute sight!

If you look gorgeous, you ought to take a selfie! That’s what Paoli did at Ahiritola Sarbojonin. From cooking and gorging on bhog to pandal hopping and organizing sleepovers for friends, the actress did it all this Puja . Uttaran girl Tina Dutta, who was in town for Puja, made the most of her short holiday. We heart the way she got under the skin of the girl-next-door in real.