Durga Puja

Durga Puja is the most celebrated festival in Bengal, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Bengalis worship Maa Durga as Mahishasuramardini, the slayer of the buffalo demon, marking the victory of divine strength. Traditionally, the puja begins on Mahalaya with the invocation of the goddess, followed by the five days of festivities from Shashthi to Vijayadashami.

The rituals involve establishing the idol of Maa Durga, along with her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, and Ganesha, on a decorated pandal. Priests chant mantras, perform pushpanjali, sandhi puja, dhunuchi naach, and arati. Devotees offer flowers, fruits, sweets, and bhog like khichuri, labra, and payesh. Women perform sindoor khela on Dashami before immersing the idol in the Ganga. Durga Puja is not just worship but also a cultural extravaganza of devotion, art, and community bonding in Bengal.