Pandal hoppers defy rain on first day of Durga Puja

Kolkata, Oct 18 (UNI) A heavy downpour, accompanied by strong wind, lashed large areas of West Bengal on the opening day of Durga Puja today, but failed to beat the festive spirit of the people.

Powered by a low pressure, the unwelcome rain that started in the morning, continued till early afternoon even as the state was bracing up for the four-day festival.

Weather office sources said a trough of low pressure, extended from the sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim to South-West bay across the Gangetic West Bengal and Central Orissa, was responsible for the widespread rain.

They said there were possibilities of more rain in the next 24 hours.

However, undeterred by the nature's threatening, people swarmed the streets in large number as soon as the rain stopped and thronged different puja pandals.

Gorgeously decorated and illuminated, the community puja pandals drew huge crowds that swelled every hour after the sun set.

UNI