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Durga Puja is the most venerated festival of the people of eastern India. It is celebrated with lot of exuberance and zest particularly by the people of West Bengal. Durga Puja in Bengal is celebrated at the time of the year when the entire India experiences festive season. According to Hindu Solar Calendar, it falls on first nine days in month of Ashwin, i.e., between October and November. This period is also called as the Navaratri or the Nine Days. Navaratri Puja, Dussehra, Ram Navami are some of the festivals celebrated in some part of India or other during this time.


Durga Puja is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva, impressed by the meditation and prayer of demon Mahisasura, bestowed him with a boon that no man or God would be able to kill him. Mahisasura, on acquiring the boon, killed people mercilessly and even threw the Gods out of their kingdoms. The Gods, terrified, went to Lord Shiva to complain the atrocities of Mahisasura and sought his intervention. Angered by this, Shiva opened his third eye. He created a woman with special attributes and presented her with a trident. All the gods present over there, gifted her with their weapons. Vishnu gave his die, Yama a spear, Agni a dart, Kubera a club, Kala a sword, Vayu a bow, Surya a quiver full of arrows, Varuna a conch, Vishwakarma a battle axe and Indra a thunderbolt. Himvan presented her with a lion as her mount. Adorned with jewelry was thus born Goddess Durga.


Durga riding a lion, set on her journey to kill the demon. She attacked Mahisasura and beheaded him and also came to be known as Mahisasurmardini or the slayer of Mahisasura. Before his final breath, demon asked for his last wish that he too might be worshipped along with her. The goddess granted his wish and since then, the Mahisasura is always seen at her feet in three of her forms.


The other legend is it that Lord Ram, before starting for his battle with Ravana to rescue his abducted wife Sita from his captivity, seeked the blessings of Devi Durga. To please the Goddess, he wanted to offer one hundred neel-kamal or blue lotuses to her. In spite of traveling the whole world, Ram, could found only ninety-nine roses. He finally decided to offer one of his eyes, as h was also known as Kamal-Nayan or the 'One Who Has the Eyes Like Lotus'. Pleased with Ram's devotion, Durga appeared before him and blessed him with success. The battle started on the Saptami or the seventh day and Ravana was killed on the Sandhikshan, i.e., the period between end of Ashtami and beginning of Navami, and was cremated on Dashami, the tenth day. the time of the worship was different from the conventional period of worship, this puja is also known as Akal Bodhan Puja, i.e., Akal means Unconventional Time and Bodhan means Worship.


The celebrations for Durga Puja in Bengal begin on the first day called Mahalaya. The week that follows the Mahalaya is called Debi-Pokhsha. The puja actually starts on the Saptami and continues till Dashami. All ladies keep fast on Sashthi or the sixth day for the well being of their family and children. On Ashtami, vegetarian diet is eaten, as Sandhi Pujo is held. Navami is the last day for the Goddess Durga. On Dashami, a huge procession is carried out throughout the city and the idol is carried to the sea where it is immersed in the water.


Although, Durga Puja, in some form or the other, is celebrated all over India but the real celebration of Durga Puja should be seen in Bengal. Grand idols of Devi, beautifully adorned with ornaments and weapons, are made by several artists. Huge pandals are built where the idol of Durga is installed over a platform. There are numerous Durga Puja Committees in Bengal that organize Durga Puja Celebration in various localities and temples of the town or city. People try to visit maximum number of pandals to get the darshan of the Devi. People wear new clothes on all the five days till the festivities last. Many cultural programs like dance, music, and dance-drama etc. are organized. People prepare many varieties of dishes and sweets for the Puja. It is the time of absolute festivity as most of the schools, colleges and government offices are closed for the celebration.