In India, Kolkata artists paint and mould idols for Durga Puja

Visitors pose for pictures in front of an art installation next to a Durga Puja pandal (temporary structure) in Kolkata on Oct 4. Photo: AFP

Spirits are soaring in India's "City of Joy” as tens of thousands of people jostle on Kolkata's streets in celebration of "Durga Puja,” the most important festival of the Bengali community.

The five-day festival that began Saturday is marked by prayers to the Hindu goddess Durga, feasts, rejoicing, music, dance and drama marking the victory of good over evil. People visit richly illuminated and decorated community centers with idols of Durga and other goddesses worshipped by the Bengali community.