<span style="color: #222222;">Durga Puja is unique this year because of the long wait after Mahalaya and the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in recent memory there has been a gap of an unprecedented 35 days between the Mahalaya and Durga Puja. This gap, generally, is of 6 days. This year, </span><span style="color: #202124;">Adhik <b>Ashwin</b> (extra month after <b>Ashwin</b>) was from 18 September to 16 October 2020, leading to an unusual month long break between Pitri Paksha and Durga Puja. </span><span style="color: #222222;">This has created this unique situation whereby Devi Durga is being worshipped 35 days after the day of Mahalaya.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Today marks the beginning of Devi-Pakshma. With this, puja rituals of Devi Durga started in Kolkata and other parts of Bengal from today. Rituals like Chandipath, Chakshudan and Ghatasthapana are taking place in accordance with ancient tradition.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">However due to Coronavirus pandemic, for the first time since the inception of Durga Puja at Sovabazar Rajbari in Kolkata, the public-at-large will not be allowed to witness this historical puja.</span><br />