Mahalaya marks the spiritual beginning of Durga Puja, a day when thousands gather at Kumartuli to witness the sacred ritual of Chokkhu Daan—the symbolic painting of Goddess Durga’s eyes. But this year, 2025, the experience comes with a strict new rule: no photography, no videography, no exceptions.
The Kumartuli Mritshilpi (clay artists) committee has announced that on Mahalaya morning, cameras will remain strictly prohibited. In past years, endless flashes, crowded lenses, and uncontrolled mobile photography disrupted the sanctity of the rituals and created chaos for artisans working on unfinished idols. Many images leaked online long before the idols were ready, stripping away the mystery and devotion attached to this moment.
Artisans argue that Mahalaya should remain an atmosphere of silence, reverence, and faith—not a photo exhibition. For them, it is the day when the goddess is spiritually invoked into the clay, a process far deeper than any lens can capture. By banning photography, they hope to restore dignity to this ritual, ensuring both artists and visitors experience the divinity without distraction.
While some visitors may feel disappointed at losing the chance to capture the magic on their phones, others welcome the decision, believing the goddess deserves devotion, not digital exposure.
As Durga Puja approaches, the message is clear: sometimes the best way to capture a moment is to live it, not click it.