Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday evening participated in the Durga Puja festivities at Chittaranjan Park (CR Park), popularly known as Delhi’s “mini Bengal,” on the auspicious occasion of Maha Ashtami.

The Prime Minister offered prayers at the Kali Mandir around sandhikaal – the sacred juncture between Ashtami and Navami, believed to be the moment Goddess Chamunda manifested to slay demons Chanda and Munda. He also performed sandhya aarti of Maa Durga at the pandal set up by the CR Park Durga Puja Cooperative Society, amid the rhythmic beats of dhak and ringing of temple bells.

For long-time residents of CR Park, the visit was unprecedented. Many said they could not recall an earlier instance of any Indian Prime Minister joining Durga Puja rituals in the locality, which has been a

See Full Page