The Puja Carnival this year — the fourth edition of the annual show — will have participants from Calcutta and its adjoining areas parading down Red Road, showcasing their idols in a colourful show of gaiety and grandeur. Metro gives a low-down of the show.

What: State government’s Puja Carnival 2019 on Red Road.

When: From 4.30pm on Friday.

Total seating arrangements: 15,000.

Number of participants: Seventy-eight puja committees from Calcutta and its adjoining areas are scheduled to take part in the carnival. Each of them will have two minutes to perform in front of the guests.

Decoration: Two main stages, each measuring 84X24ft, have been built.

One will have chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who is scheduled to be seated with governor Jagdeep Dhankar and other dignitaries. Guests from abroad will be seated on the stage opposite this.

Theme: Ranga Maatir Bangla. The main stage has been done up with terracotta murals that can be seen in temples in parts of Bishnupur. Tanmoy Chakrabarty, the man who has worked on several film sets, has been engaged for the job.

Road closure: Red Road will be closed from Thursday midnight till the end of the show. The police said the show would go on for nearly four hours with several puja committees hiring star performers for the show.

Others will be turning up with decorated tableaux showcasing the idols.

Security: Calcutta police have made elaborate security arrangements across the entire stretch of Red Road with watch towers and special police posts. A drone will fly above the VIP zone sending back images to the police control room.

Coverage: A dozen LED screens have been set up to beam live images to those who are seated far away. There are separate enclosures for viewers, bureaucrats and VIPs. Seats will have to be taken by 2.30pm.