Durga Puja is one of the most notable and widely celebrated festivals in India. This holiday is predominantly observed in the Indian state of West Bengal (WB), but its grandeur has spread across many other parts of the country and even internationally. The festival celebrates the victory of the Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
The celebrations of Durga Puja last for ten days, commencing on the day of Mahalaya and ending on Vijayadashami. The streets are filled with the vibrancy of decorative pandals, immersion processions, cultural performances, and street food. The rituals involve worshipping the Goddess Durga, who is believed to descend on Earth during this period. Idol making, music, dance and dramatic enactments, known as Durga Puja plays, are essential aspects of the festival. Everyone, regardless of their religious background, participates in this joyous occasion, making it a significant social and cultural event.
Women dressed in traditional attire perform the 'Dhunuchi dance' with earthen lamps and families gather for the 'Sindoor Khela', a custom where married women smear each other with sindoor or vermilion. The highlight of the festival, the 'Visarjan' or immersion of the Durga idols in the river, signifies the return of the deity to her heavenly abode, leaving behind a melancholy yet a hope to meet next year. Festive foods, including diverse variations of sweets and vegetarian dishes, are integral to Durga Puja, making it a gastronomic delight. The festival represents the power of female divinity and is a testament to the cultural richness of India.