Durga Pooja

The grandest festival that is fondly celebrated with lot of grandeur in the state of West Bengal, Durga Puja is the very day of festival called Dussehra. The festival is also recognized as the Navratri in other parts of the country. The festival is also called as Durgotsav. This festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga, the divine power against all evils.

The festival has a legendary tale to tell that Mahisasur, the Buffalo Demon received the blessing of Lord Brahma through his years of prayers and meditations at stretch. He received the power of invincibility and immortality, which he started to use in ghastly manner in a way of ravaging the world and killing people and even tried to uproot Gods and Goddesses. Then it was Goddess Durga, who fought with him and killed him.

The festival is held in the period between September and October. The first day of the Puja is called as Sashthi and the rituals performed on the very first day are continued till the last day of the festival. The last day of the celebration is called as Dashami or Bijoya Dashami. There are various other rituals that are performed on the five days. The festival brings optimism and hope as it the festival of victory of good over evil and leaves behind energy and courage to fight against evil deeds.