Port Blair, Sep 30 (UNI) An air of festivity has set in the Andaman and Nicobar islands has come alive with the advent of the much-awaited Durga Puja.

The enthusiasm and the festive mood among the devotees were upbeat with scores of people clad in their best thronging the puja pandals on the occasion of 'Mahastami' today.

Ramakrishna Mission in Andaman is organising Durga Puja for the third consecutive time.

While, the devotees are busy in hopping all the puja pandals, the organisers were busy controlling the huge crowd and the police had been controlling the traffic and ensuring the safety for all.

In a series of meetings organised with the committees here, the Police Department have advised the members not to allow any kind of hooliganism.

The committees were advised to ensure all kind of protection at the pandals by provision of fire fighting equipments in case of any accident, Andaman Superintendent of Police Jaspal Singh told UNI.

The Fire Department has made elaborate arrangements to cover all puja pandals in case of any eventuality.

Andaman and Nicobar islands, also known as Mini India, holds huge significance as this archipelago has people from all walks of life who celebrate puja with equal enthusiam and fervour irrespective of any sectional feeling.

The town is wearing a festive look turning the overall atmosphere into a festival aura. Stalls have been set up at various puja venues with the aim of tickling the taste as well as entertaining the people visiting the puja pandals.

At many places, cultural programmes like 'Jatra' and Drama etc are being staged to entertain the visitors.

Reports are also coming from South Andaman region where in many islands Durga Puja is celebrated with enthusiams.

UNI SKR PP PA RAI1112