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They were inside a pandal or makeshift tent at the centre of the festivities when the attack began.

When all was ready we spread the leaves under the gaudy marriage pandal Nathan had borrowed for the occasion and ate and drank for long, merry hours.

The lane hooked to the right, past the pandal in their enclave, the deities adorned but unattended.

An artist works on fish made out of metal sheets to decorate this pandal - to create better awareness about marine life and marine eco-systems.

In an effort to see and get blessings from as many effigies of the goddess as they can, as well as indulge in some flirtatious eye contact with attractive strangers, the young dress in their best and go “pandal hopping.”