West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurates Goddess Durga Puja Pandal preparations of festival in Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurates Goddess 'Durga Puja Pandal'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday inaugurated a Goddess Durga Puja Pandal in Kolkata as the preparations for the auspicious festival began with ‘Mahalaya’. Hindus worship Maa Durga and all her feminine aspects of divine femininity over nine days and nine nights. Navratri is held at the two most important junctions of the year- during the onset of spring season and again during the commencement of the winter season. According to Hindu calendar Navratri is celebrated four times in a year, but the most significant in terms of public celebration are Chaitra and Sharad Navratri.

Preparations for the auspicious festival began with ‘Mahalaya

With celebration of Mahalaya, Bengalis start countdown for their much anticipated festival 'Durga Puja' and further make the 7-day-long celebration much more grand with a bunch of special songs and hymns like 'Bajlo Tomar Alor Benu', 'Durge Durge Durgatinashini', 'Jaago Tumi Jaago' and others.

Devotees worship Goddess Durga Idol during the festival

Going by the mythology, Goddess Durga is said to be created with the blessings and power of all other Gods, especially Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar, in order to defeat the demon king Mahishasura. Mahishasura received a boon that he could not be killed by any man or god which prompts the creation of Goddess Durga.

Goddess Durga was bestowed with the various weapons borrowed from her creators

Goddess Durga was bestowed with the various weapons borrowed from her creators, symbolically held in the 10 hands that are attached to the Goddess' body which were later used in her fight against Mahishasura.

Goddess Durga became successful in killing the demong king

Finally the Goddess became successful in killing the demong king on the 10th day, much to the delight, thrill and excitement to the world of Goddess.

This year, Durga Puja festival began from Tuesday, i.e. September 19.

This year, Durga Puja festival began from Tuesday, i.e. September 19.