Residents welcome the tourists at Gai Ghat on Friday. Picture by Sachin

Patna, Oct. 7: Messer Rosewetha, a tourist from Germany, has been bowled over by the Durga Puja festivities.

The retired businesswoman, a part of a 21-member group, comprising 19 Germans and a Dutch and a Vietnamese, is on a Ganga cruise. After arrival in Calcutta from their respective countries on September 22, Rosewetha and others left on a upstream journey from Farakka in Bengal on September 24. Cruising on the Ganga, passing through Rajmahal in Jharkhand and Kahalgaon, Munger, Simaria and Bodhgaya, the group reached Patna last night.

On board the cruise, jointly operated by Assam Bengal Navigation Company and Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC), the group were left amazed by the Durga Puja celebrations they witnessed on their way to Patna.

Rosewetha said: “This is probably one of the most astonishing events I have ever seen in my life. Devotion was in the air. The nine-day-long fast, the chants, the idols, the massive crowds flocking the pandals to worship their deity — everything was so amazing. We are extremely fortunate to get this opportunity.”

Between now and October 12, the group is on a sightseeing tour. Their next destination is Varanasi. For the downstream journey, the group would take a private cruise from Varanasi on October 12 and leave for Calcutta once again.

Group leader Michael said: “I think a cruise is the best mode to see different cities and villages. India is one of the fastest growing nations and it is good that we got the opportunity to see the country. The people here are very kind, generous and hardworking. Their hospitality is equally commendable.”

Unfortunately some in the group are battling in the heat. “The weather is very hot and humid. Being from European countries, we are not used to such a climate. But one needs to be prepared for this when they go on a cruise,” said Merkle Stuttgart, 66, a retired customs officer from Germany.

Some of the foreigners were also moved by the rural lifestyle. “On our way to Patna, we went by various villages and small towns. It was amazing how the people live with such simplicity and in pristine living conditions. Some of the places are so clean when compared to few of the cities we went around. The people were also so hospitable and caring, especially the women. Everything about rural India is adorable,” said Marianne, an engineer from Germany.

The Indian delicacies served on the cruise also floored them. “The food is delicious. We are being served different food items everyday. So, we are able to get a varied taste of the cuisine here. Although some of the dishes are a little spicy, nothing tastes better than Indian food,” added Rosewetha.

Between Bihar and Bengal, there are 14 such Ganga cruise packages that take foreign tourists on trips between September and March. Four special cruises also operate from Farakka in November. These take tourists to the Sonepur Mela. Two vessels — a 12-room and a 28-room — are used for such cruises.