Kolkata celebrates KKR's IPL victory

Newly-crowned IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders were accorded a grand felicitation by the state government at the packed Eden Gardens on Tuesday, May 29,2012.

The City of Joy accorded a grand welcome to Kolkata Knight Riders for their IPL triumph, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee felicitating the players and co-owners Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla.

Kolkata turned purple and gold as thousands of people lined up the entire route from Hazra crossing, near the chief minister's Harish Chatterjee Street residence, to Writers Buildings, a distance of five kilometre, to witness the victory parade of the team aboard a flower-bedecked trailer.

Many people were seen taking up vantage points on rooftops and balconies to witness the victory procession.

People not only lined the streets, but also crammed vantage points on rooftops and balconies as the victory procession passed.

Fans crowded both sides of the KKR's victory parade route in Kolkata on May 29, 2012.

Mamata Banerjee personally handed bouquets and scarves to the Kolkata Knight Riders team members and its co-owners Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with KKR team co-owners and its members at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee presents a medal to Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday, May 29, 2012.

Mamata Banerjee honours Shah Rukh Khan during the felicitation ceremony at the Eden Gardens.

Banerjee, dressed in a white sari with a purple border, the color of the team's jersey, said, "Bengal is proud. The victory of the Knight Riders is like a victory of the world."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee felicitates the Kolkata Knight Riders team for winning the fifth season of IPL.

Terming the win as a victory for West Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee presented the team members with shawls and the traditional sweet sandesh.

Mamata Banerjee presents the KKR team members shawls and sandesh.

The KKR players were given a gold chain each with 'Bengal Loves You' inscribed on it.

We have been waiting for this day so long. Thank you Didi. Thank You Kolkata. Thank you West Bengal on behalf of every member of the team. Only Kolkata will rule," SRK, who is also the brand ambassador of West Bengal, said at the reception amidst thunderous cheers from hundreds of people as confetti rained from above.

KKR team members dance to popular Bengali songs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 29, 2012.

Kolkata Knight Riders players celebrate with the trophy in Kolkata.

Kolkata Knight Riders team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan with the IPL cup.

Over 60,000 fans gathered at Eden Gardens to cheer the champions and catch a glimpse of superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

Mamata Banerjee and KKR team members with the maiden IPL trophy.

Yusuf Pathan holds the IPL 5 trophy during the ceremony to felicitate the team in Kolkata.

Mamata Banerjee holds the IPL 5 trophy with Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir in Kolkata.

Captain Gautam Gambhir said, "Thank you Didi. It is a fantastic support that we have received from the people of Kolkata and Bengal."

KKR-owner Shah Rukh Khan is in a party mood at Eden Gardens.

KKR team members carry franchise owner Shah Rukh Khan for a victory lap.

KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir with team mates at Eden Gardens.

Shah Rukh Khan greets Mamata Banerjee on May 29, 2012.

Shah Rukh Khan with KKR's maiden IPL trophy in Kolkata.

Shah Rukh Khan with Mamata Banerjee at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Mamata Banerjee presents a gold chain to KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan.