Kolkata celebrates New Year with picnics, prayers

Kolkata, Jan 1 (IANS) People in the eastern metropolis - including backpackers and travellers from across the world - ushered in 2015 with family events, prayers, picnics and trips to popular tourist spots, following a night of partying.

Despite the forecast of rain, celebrations went on in full swing across the state.

While some chose to stay indoors and celebrate with their families, hundreds made a beeline for the famed Alipore zoo and iconic Victoria Memorial.

Religious places like the Dakhshineswar temple and St. Paul's Cathedral saw heavy footfall.

Revellers from across the state and outside soaked in the ambience of new locations like the Eco Park and the Mother's Wax Museum at Rajarhat in the city's outskirts.

Pan-Indian followers of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa gathered at the ancient Kali temple at Dakshineswar for the Kalpataru Utsav, which is celebrated on this day every year in memory of the spiritual guru.

It is believed that Paramhansa had gone into a trance Jan 1, 1886, and granted enlightenment to his disciples.

Far away from the madding crowd, several groups took short trips to sea beaches (Digha in East Midnapore), forests (Sunderbans mangrove) and hilly areas of north Bengal with many opting for homestays instead of luxury hotels.

For youngsters, the posh British-era Park Street provided a plethora of options with clubs, discotheques and food joints.