Kolkata: As huge crowds thronged the numerous Durga Puja pandals in this city, devotees got an opportunity to worship the goddess while cruising along the river Hoogly on a vessel.

A city-based travel agency has joined two launches together with one decorated like a pandal with an idol of Durga and the other meant for devotees. "This puja will offer people a chance to worship while on a holiday on the river.

The vessel will stop for 30 minutes at important bathing ghats to allow devotees to have a look at nearby pandals on the bank of the river," said Amit Kumar, Managing Director of Ajanar Sandhane, the travel agency which organised the launch.

Called, "Ganga Jale Durga Puja", the floating pandal will sail twice at 9 am and 4 pm from Fairlie Ghat and will end at 2 pm and 9 pm respectively during the four days of puja festivities. During the trip, the launch will stop at various bathing ghats - Bagbazar Ghat, Ahiritola Ghat, Belur Math and Dakshineshwar - on the riverbank and end at Majherhat on the southern fringe of the city.

Nearly 300 people would be able to travel in the two launches. "The cost of tickets for each person has been fixed at Rs 400 and Rs 500 for morning and afternoon tours, which includes lunch and dinner respectively. Tickets are available at Fairlie Ghat, Babughat, Howrah and at the agency's Harish Mukherjee Road office," Kumar said.

Source : PTI