Durga Puja Traditions

Durga puja is the most awaited festival for the Hindus especially in West Bengal, which situated in the eastern province of India. The puja involves many intricate rituals. Also known as Durgotsav, this festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga, the most powerful of all Hindu Goddesses. The people of West Bengal share the belief that Maa Durga descends on earth on the sixth day of the puja and the people welcome her with great devotion and fanfare. During the festival pandals are set up in every nook and corner, worshipping the idol of the Goddess. Many of the big pandals compete with each other and try to outdo each other in terms of decoration and artwork. They spend plenty of money in the designs of the pandals as well as the idol. Usually, the puja is organized by the local clubs or communities, who take donations from the people. The money thus collected is spent on the idol and the decoration of the pandals. Every year many of the clubs create history by building something innovative and aweinspiring.