Residents of a housing complex gather at the Kali Puja mandap
The complex also has a Diwali Milan scheduled for Nov 14, featuring performances by artistes and residents, followed by dinner. At South City, Kali Puja began around 7 pm with rituals inside the community hall, followed by bhog. Firecrackers were permitted between 8 pm and 10 pm. At Tollygunge’s Daffodil Greens, Kali Puja has been a community tradition for 22 years, with around 100 residents participating in the festivities.
“This year, we made it mandatory to burst only green crackers,” said Sudip Roy Chowdhury, secretary of Daffodil Greens Home Owners Association. We were mindful of the firecracker restrictions and wanted everyone, especially children and senior citizens, to enjoy the celebrations safely,” said complex secretary Sanwar Agarwal. Kolkata: From colourful rangolis at entrances to lights on balconies and landscaped courtyards, gated communities and high-rise complexes across the city ushered in Kali Puja and Diwali with a mix of traditional festivities and carefully regulated celebrations. With firecrackers restricted to a two-hour window, residents turned to community gatherings, cultural programmes and musical evenings to keep the festive spirit alive. The complex also marked Dhanteras with an in-house programme featuring an Indian Idol contestant. The evening included live singing, dinner and a lucky draw. At Apsara Complex in Park Street, the focus was on lights, rangoli and spending time with neighbours. “Diwali is a time for bringing residents together, and we have tried to keep the celebrations festive yet responsible.