Durga Puja | Biggest festival of the Bengali

"Durga, in Sanskrit means "She who is incomprehensible or difficult to reach." Goddess Durga is a form of Sakti worshiped for her gracious as well as terrifying aspect. Mother of the Universe, she represents the infinite power of the universe and is a symbol of a female dynamism. "

It starts from the first day of the waxing phase of moon in autumn called Mahalaya. The activites start before dusk with chants of various hymns of 'Mahishasura Mardini' . A very busy day for the Bengalis. Thousands of people gather at River Ganga early in the morning to offer Tarpan in memory of their forefather. Mahalaya is an auspicious day observed seven days before the actual Durga puja begins.The inauguration of the Goddess idol starts on Mahashasthi, sixth day from Mahalaya... and the festival starts too ...