Kolkata, Oct.16 (ANI): Festive fever gripped Kolkata as locals thronged markets ahead of the popular Durga Puja festival.
Durga Puja is one of India's most famous festivals. Legend has it that "Asuras" or demons from the underworld invaded the heavens after a hundred year war with the gods.
The Hindu trinity of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu created Goddess Durga, the most powerful of all gods and goddesses, to vanquish the demons, hence the term 'Durga Puja' which means worshipping the goddess.
It is believed that the Goddess makes her annual visit to the world and the festivities are meant to welcome her.
A customer, Kaniswathma, said that she had to purchase a lot of things for the Durga Puja.
"I have just started shopping and still have a lot of things to shop ahead of the rituals. I have to buy bags and clothes. New style of traditional dresses have come in the market and since winters are approaching we have to look for winter clothes as well," said Kaniswathma.
The string of festivals, starting with Durga Puja and Dussehra and ending with Diwali, take place in accordance with the Hindu calendar and the dates change every year.
Festivals in India are synonymous with eating and gifting sweets, and most food and confectionery shops are decked with an assortment of goodies in colourful wrappings meant for traditional presents.
Two all-time favourites are rasgullas, a soft, spongy ball made from cottage cheese, and the conch-shaped samdesh, made from jaggery. A popular holiday treat is milk-based kaju barfi.
On this occasion of Durga Puja, homes are re-painted and decorated to 'receive' the goddess. Small idols of the goddess are also installed to worship her.
The festival culminates with the immersion of the 'Durga' idols into water bodies. (ANI)
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