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| Durga Puja: Gold sari and Big Ben wow Kolkata crowds | Durga Puja: Gold sari and Big Ben wow Kolkata crowds |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Indian city of Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) has a long tradition of lavishly celebrating the Durga Puja, an annual Hindu festival that reveres the goddess Durga. | The Indian city of Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) has a long tradition of lavishly celebrating the Durga Puja, an annual Hindu festival that reveres the goddess Durga. |
| It is the biggest and most popular festival in the state of West Bengal, where elaborate stage decorations, known as "pandals," draw huge crowds. | It is the biggest and most popular festival in the state of West Bengal, where elaborate stage decorations, known as "pandals," draw huge crowds. |
| During the nine-day festival, thousands of pandals are constructed in almost every neighbourhood in the city. Over the years, they have become a popular display of creativity and grandeur. | During the nine-day festival, thousands of pandals are constructed in almost every neighbourhood in the city. Over the years, they have become a popular display of creativity and grandeur. |
| Photographer Ronny Sen has captured images of one celebration that stood out for its London theme, and for dressing an idol of the goddess Durga in a sari made out of pure 22-carat gold. | Photographer Ronny Sen has captured images of one celebration that stood out for its London theme, and for dressing an idol of the goddess Durga in a sari made out of pure 22-carat gold. |
| Weighing 22kg, the gold sari is worth 62 million rupees (approximately $944,000; £705,000). | Weighing 22kg, the gold sari is worth 62 million rupees (approximately $944,000; £705,000). |
| The sari, covered in detailed motifs and shiny gemstones, was made for the occasion by designer Agnimitra Paul. | The sari, covered in detailed motifs and shiny gemstones, was made for the occasion by designer Agnimitra Paul. |
| Around 50 artisans worked on the costumes over the course of two and a half months, according to The Indian Express. | Around 50 artisans worked on the costumes over the course of two and a half months, according to The Indian Express. |
| The idol is found inside a replica of Buckingham Palace, which was made for the festival and is located in the city's Santosh Mitra square. | |
| Other installations include lookalikes of London replicas like Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the London Eye. | |
| The Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata are known for their extravagant decorations, and many pandals are entered into competitions. | The Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata are known for their extravagant decorations, and many pandals are entered into competitions. |
| Past themes have included recreating iconic yellow taxis, the Maitrayee Express train which travelled from India to Bangladesh, and Buddhist pagoda structures. | Past themes have included recreating iconic yellow taxis, the Maitrayee Express train which travelled from India to Bangladesh, and Buddhist pagoda structures. |
| While this replica of Big Ben was made for the festival season, it isn't the first of its kind. | While this replica of Big Ben was made for the festival season, it isn't the first of its kind. |
| Back in 2015, a permanent lookalike of Big Ben was constructed in the city under the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's vision of making Kolkata as "glorious" as London. | Back in 2015, a permanent lookalike of Big Ben was constructed in the city under the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's vision of making Kolkata as "glorious" as London. |
| Other pandals in this year's festivals drew inspiration from the White Temple in Thailand, the urban sprawl of cities, and the art of selfies. | Other pandals in this year's festivals drew inspiration from the White Temple in Thailand, the urban sprawl of cities, and the art of selfies. |
| It is not unusual for pandals to reflect current affairs or social issues - in 2013, one structure was made to protest against rape while another one, shaped like a boat, made a statement against the pollution of the River Ganges. | It is not unusual for pandals to reflect current affairs or social issues - in 2013, one structure was made to protest against rape while another one, shaped like a boat, made a statement against the pollution of the River Ganges. |
| The festivities began on 19 September and will end on 30 September. | The festivities began on 19 September and will end on 30 September. |