Visakhapatnam devotees usher in Durga Puja with pre-dawn ritual processions

Residents across Visakhapatnam's localities participated in the Prabhat Pheri, a centuries-old Bengali tradition where devotees take to the streets before sunrise to sing hymns dedicated to Goddess Durga. The processions, featuring participants in traditional attire, moved through residential areas and commercial centres, creating an atmosphere of festive anticipation in the port city.

The pre-dawn ritual is considered an integral part of Durga Puja celebrations, marking the formal commencement of the festival season. Devotees chanted religious verses while moving in procession, with the practice believed to invoke the blessings of the deity and spread festive cheer across communities.

Durga Puja, one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar, celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over evil forces. The festival typically spans several days and encompasses elaborate pandal decorations, cultural programmes, and community gatherings across eastern and northeastern India, with celebrations increasingly gaining prominence in other regions including Andhra Pradesh.

The Prabhat Pheri tradition reflects the cultural continuity of the festival beyond its geographic origins, with diaspora communities and devotee groups in cities nationwide organizing similar processions to commemorate the occasion. Visakhapatnam's observance underscores the pan-Indian appeal of the festival in contemporary times.