Idols of Hindu gods and goddesses in Kumortuli, Kolkata, India.
© Rob Pinney/Alamy Stock Phot
A splendid saga. Durga Puja
Durga Puja is a Hindu festival spanning ten days, according to the Hindu calendar. Devotees set up pandals and display huge idols of Goddess Durga along with Saraswati, Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya. Durga can be seen defeating the demon Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. Each year, as the festival approaches, the atmosphere of Kolkata undergoes a transformation as communities come together to celebrate. Months ahead of the festival artisans construct exquisite idols of the goddess, after which they are meticulously adorned with vibrant clothing as well as jewellery. In December 2021, the United Nations recognised Durga Puja in Kolkata as part of the world's cultural heritage. It's now listed as an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity' by UNESCO. On the last day of the festival, the clay idols are immersed in the same river from which the earth was sourced along with the beating of drums.
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