Guwahati/Silchar: Assam came alive with Durga Puja celebrations on Saturday as thousands of devotees participated in Maha Saptami rituals across the state.In Guwahati, Bishnupur Sarbajanin Durga Puja emerged as a major attraction with its elaborate ‘Naaglok’ theme. Set up at a cost of Rs 80 lakh, the puja allows visitors to view the themed installation from boats, combining religious devotion with an unusual festival experience.“Devotees can enjoy Durga Puja from boats. It is truly a unique experience during the festival in the northeast,” an organiser said.The boat ride through the ‘Naaglok’ setting drew visitors eager to experience the celebrations beyond conventional pandal-hopping.“It is exciting to see the Naaglok theme. Watching Durga Puja from a boat is a unique experience,” said devotee Chayanika Gogoi.Across Guwahati, elaborately decorated pandals and creative themes attracted large crowds, while historic religious sites retained their traditional character. Devotees gathered at Bilbeswar Devalaya in Nalbari and Maa Chandika Devalaya in Kamrup to offer prayers.Maha Saptami celebrations also drew thousands across the Barak Valley. Silchar, Sribhumi and Hailakandi witnessed large crowds from early morning as devotees performed rituals and offered pushpanjali to Goddess Durga.The ceremonies began with the Nabapatrika Snan, accompanied by the beating of dhaks, conch-shell blowing and chanting of hymns.More than 2,500 community pujas are being organised across the valley, including nearly 400 in Silchar and 550 in greater Silchar. Streets and pandals have been illuminated with colourful lights and elaborate decorations.Popular puja venues, including Mitali Sangha, Dakshin Bilpar Sarbajonin, Tarapur Ananda Parishad, Sonai Road Tarun Sangha and Shillong Patty Sarbajonin, attracted large crowds. Traditional celebrations at the Ramakrishna Mission in Silchar and the historic Kachakanti Kalibari in Udharbond also drew devotees.In Sribhumi, revellers visited several prominent community pujas, while Tarun Sangh and Yoba Samiti in Hailakandi opted for eco-friendly decorations.Cachar Superintendent of Police Partha Protim Das said security had been strengthened across the district. Silchar has been divided into nine sectors to improve policing and crowd management during the festivities.Celebrations were also reported from Upper Assam, central Assam and northern Assam, where devotees thronged temples and pandals to offer prayers and seek the goddess’s blessings.As Maha Saptami is being observed over two days this year — Saturday and Sunday — organisers expect crowds to increase further as the festivities continue.