**Durga Puja Festival Kicks Off with Soulful Bhajan Sandhya at Rajendra Park**

The Durga Puja festival organised by the Bondhu Mahal family began on Saturday evening with a soulful Bhajan Sandhya at Rajendra Park. The devotional programme, presented by Swar Sarita, set a spiritual tone for the five-day celebrations.

**Soulful Start to Festivities**

The bhajan evening featured melodious performances by Saroj Khulbe, Geeta Singh, Sushma Agrawal, Reena Biswas, and Madhu Srivastava. Their renditions filled the atmosphere with devotion as devotees gathered in large numbers with their families.

**Formal Commencement of Puja**

Secretary of Bondhu Mahal, Sushanto Ghosh, said the Bhajan Sandhya marked the formal start of the festivities. The celebrations will include daily puja rituals, cultural programmes, and community gatherings throughout the week.

**Strengthening Social Bonds**

“Durga Puja is not just about worship but also about strengthening social and cultural bonds. We are happy to see such overwhelming participation,” said Bondhu Mahal spokesperson Himangshu Acharya.

Many residents described the evening as uplifting. “The bhajans by Swar Sarita brought peace and joy. It felt like the perfect beginning to Durga Puja,” shared Alpona Sen, a devotee who attended the programme with her family.

**Week-Long Celebrations Ahead**

The festivities will continue over the coming days with traditional rituals and cultural activities dedicated to Goddess Durga, promising a vibrant and spiritually enriching experience for all.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/up-news-durga-puja-celebrations-begin-with-soulful-bhajan-sandhya-at-rajendra-park